PSX stays positive, hits day’s high above 159,000

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its bullish run on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index trading firmly in the green throughout the session until afternoon. The market, which opened on a positive note, did not once slip into the red and showed strong momentum as investors continued buying across sectors.

By 9:36 AM, the KSE-100 Index had climbed 946.96 points to 158,891.98, with volumes recorded at 26.5 million shares. The rally gathered strength as the session progressed, pushing the index to 158,982.01 around 12:02 PM, a gain of 1,036.99 points, with trading volumes exceeding 506 million shares.

The upward streak peaked around 1:42 PM when the KSE-100 hit the day’s high of 159,046.60, up 1,101.58 points, on a volume of over 622 million shares. As of 2:24 PM, the index stood at 158,910.51, higher by 965.49 points or 0.61 percent. The day’s range so far has seen the index touch a low of 158,523.51 and a high of 159,046.60.

In broader terms, the PSX continues to showcase impressive growth. On a year-on-year basis, the KSE-100 is up by a massive 95.02 percent, while gains since the start of 2025 stand at 38.03 percent. Over the past 52 weeks, the index has traded between a low of 80,352.22 and a high of 159,337.46.

Gainers and losers

Market momentum was powered by gains in several stocks. K-Electric (KEL) surged 8.24 percent to Rs6.83 with hefty volumes, while Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) rose 5.63 percent to Rs203.00. Lucky performances were also seen in SRVI, PIBTL, HUBC and cement major BWCL, which gained 7.16 percent to Rs669.86.

On the flip side, some big names traded in the red. Gemmel declined 9.66 percent to Rs22.16, while ICCI shed 8.97 percent to Rs14.82. Among index heavyweights, Unity Foods, EPCL, MEBL, PAKT and FFC posted moderate losses, keeping overall gains in check.

The list of top intraday advancers also included FEM, FFLM, FANM, UCAPM, and THCCL, all recording double-digit percentage gains. Meanwhile, major laggards included BNL, SHJS, CSIL and KHYT, alongside a handful of banking and fertiliser stocks.

Broader context

Tuesday’s session had already set the tone, with the KSE-100 closing at 157,945.02 after a gain of 390.36 points. That day saw banks, oil explorers, cement makers and pharmaceutical stocks lending the most support, while fertiliser, technology and engineering companies held back the index.

With momentum sustained into Wednesday, the benchmark is now eyeing the crucial 159,000 mark as investors look for further cues from global markets and domestic corporate earnings.