RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its upward momentum on Wednesday as improving investor confidence, fueled by expectations of easing tensions between Iran and the United States and declining international oil prices, encouraged aggressive buying across major sectors and lifted the benchmark index firmly into positive territory.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 1,934.74 points or 1.19 percent to settle at 164,831.42 points against the previous close of 162,896.68 points after witnessing considerable intraday volatility. During the session, the benchmark touched an intraday high of 165,081.70 points and a low of 162,895.74 points before closing firmly in the green.

BRIndex100 closed at 18,046.60 points, recording an increase of 229.86 points or 1.29 percent over the previous close, with total volume standing at 266.65 million shares. BRIndex30 settled at 65,800.30 points, up 1,227.01 points or 1.90 percent, with turnover amounting to 173.96 million shares.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Limited, said the PSX witnessed a stable session as the market experienced significant intraday movement. According to Najib, improved market confidence was largely driven by anticipation of easing tensions between Iran and the United States, coupled with a decline in international oil prices, which provided support to investor sentiment.

He further highlighted that on the stock-specific front, market heavyweights including Meezan Bank Limited, Fauji Fertilizer Company, United Bank Limited, Engro Fertilizers Limited and Pakistan Petroleum Limited played a major role in supporting the market, collectively adding 836 points to the benchmark index and sustaining bullish momentum.

Overall market capitalization increased significantly to Rs18.243 trillion on May 20, 2026, compared to Rs18.081 trillion recorded in the previous session, reflecting an increase of over Rs162.34 billion.

In the regular market, turnover stood at 386.39 million shares, slightly lower than 391.94 million shares traded in the previous session, while traded value amounted to Rs20.13 billion against Rs22.98 billion previously.

Market breadth remained firmly positive, reflecting broad investor participation. In the ready market, 302 companies advanced, 141 declined and 40 remained unchanged out of 483 active companies.

Trading activity remained concentrated in liquid counters, with high-volume stocks dominating investor interest in the ready market. Sui Southern Gas Company emerged as the volume leader, with a turnover of 25.26 million shares and closed higher at Rs25.93. It was followed by The Bank of Punjab, which recorded a turnover of 24.57 million shares and settled at Rs33.43. WorldCall Telecom ranked third on the volume chart, with 22.78 million shares changing hands before closing at Rs1.30.

On the gainers’ table, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited led the market after posting a sharp increase of Rs185.00 to close at Rs26,100.00, reflecting strong investor interest in the stock. Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited followed, registering a gain of Rs174.29 to settle at Rs1,917.20 by the close of trading.

On the losing side, Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited emerged as the top laggard, shedding Rs52.37 to settle at Rs1,307.63 amid selling pressure. Nestle Pakistan Limited also remained under pressure, declining by Rs45.48 to close at Rs7,554.52.

Among sector-specific BR indices, the BR Automobile Assembler Index settled at 26,669.66 points, gaining 152.41 points or 0.57 percent, with total turnover of 4.50 million shares. The BR Cement Index closed at 11,150.35 points, up 185.97 points or 1.70 percent, while turnover stood at 28.44 million shares.

The BR Commercial Banks Index ended at 55,202.97 points, posting an increase of 703.44 points or 1.29 percent, supported by turnover of 36.99 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index gained 387.32 points or 1.44 percent to close at 27,252.17 points, with turnover recorded at 23.72 million shares.

Similarly, the BR Oil and Gas Index increased by 123.68 points or 0.85 percent to settle at 14,638.96 points, while turnover stood at 53.93 million shares. The BR Tech and Communication Index closed at 3,703.34 points, posting a gain of 63.25 points or 1.74 percent, with total turnover recorded at 49.55 million shares.

Najib said developments surrounding US-Iran relations would remain a key catalyst for market direction going forward, as ongoing diplomatic engagement and backchannel talks continue to keep investors focused on geopolitical headlines.