PTBP Web Desk
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish momentum on Wednesday, with the benchmark PSX KSE-100 Index recording a massive gain of nearly 4,200 points during intraday trading. This sharp rise reflects growing investor confidence driven by improving global sentiment and easing geopolitical concerns.
By 1:00 PM, the PSX KSE-100 Index was hovering at 158,163.10 points, showing an increase of 4,196.74 points or 2.73%. The rally was supported by strong buying activity across multiple key sectors, indicating a broad-based market recovery.
Significant buying interest was observed in automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration companies, oil marketing companies (OMCs), power generation, and refinery sectors. These sectors played a vital role in pushing the index upward.
Index-heavy stocks remained in the green throughout the session. Major companies such as Attock Refinery Limited (ARL), Hub Power Company (HUBCO), Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Mari Petroleum (MARI), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), MCB Bank (MCB), and Meezan Bank (MEBL) contributed significantly to the rally.
Market experts believe that the surge in the PSX KSE-100 Index is not only due to domestic factors but also influenced by positive global developments. According to Behtari Capital, Pakistan is increasingly being seen as a potential global peace broker, which has boosted investor sentiment.
Reports suggest that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have offered Islamabad as a neutral venue for potential negotiations between the United States and Iran. This diplomatic initiative has raised hopes for de-escalation in the Middle East conflict.
On the previous trading day, Tuesday, the PSX had already shown moderate gains. However, profit-taking and low trading volumes had limited the upward movement. The KSE-100 Index closed at 153,966.36 points, gaining 1,225.99 points or 0.80%.
Meanwhile, global markets also showed a positive trend on Wednesday. Stock markets across Asia, including Australia, South Korea, and Japan, recorded gains of around 2% during morning trading sessions. Similarly, S&P 500 futures rose by 0.9%, while European futures increased by 1.2%.
A key factor behind this optimism is the possibility of a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Reports indicate that the US has proposed a 15-point peace plan and is seeking a month-long ceasefire to facilitate negotiations.
US President Donald Trump stated that progress is being made toward ending the conflict. According to sources, Washington has shared a detailed settlement proposal with Tehran. However, Iranian authorities have denied that any direct negotiations have taken place so far.
In addition, oil prices saw a significant decline, with Brent crude dropping around 6% to $98.30 per barrel. Lower oil prices generally support equity markets by reducing inflationary pressures and improving business outlooks.
Gold prices, on the other hand, rose by 1.6% as investors adjusted their positions after recent profit-taking.
Overall, the strong rally in the PSX KSE-100 Index reflects a combination of domestic optimism and global developments. If geopolitical tensions continue to ease, the market may sustain its upward trajectory in the coming days.
