According to the latest available data, the index stood at approximately 165,736 points, reflecting a marginal decline of about 74 points or 0.04% from the previous day’s close. The index touched an intraday high of 161,993 and a low of 166,812.93, indicating significant volatility in early trading before stabilising.
Trading activity remained robust, with total volume crossing 572 million shares valued at over Rs 33.95 billion in roughly 289,000 trades. Market breadth leaned negative, with 301 stocks declining, 168 advancing, and 96 remaining unchanged out of 565 active scrips.
Sector performance and key movers
Fertilizer and banking stocks, which led yesterday’s sharp rally following easing Middle East tensions, saw some profit-booking today. However, selective buying continued in cement, energy, and textile counters.
Notable gainers included certain textile names like Service Industries Textile (up over 2.8%) and Shadman Cotton, while some blue-chip stocks faced mild selling pressure.
On Wednesday, PSX erupted in jubilation, registering its highest single-day gain of over 14,000 points (+9%) in history, as investors cheered the global peace momentum brokered by Pakistan and easing tensions between the United States and Iran.
As trading commenced in the morning, the KSE-30 index rallied sharply, which sparked a market halt after crossing the 5% threshold, in accordance with the PSX regulations.
In an announcement, the bourse stated that a 5% rise in the KSE-30 triggered a temporary halt, leading to suspension of trading in all equity markets and cancellation of outstanding orders.
Following resumption of proceedings at 10:42 am, the rally continued, where the KSE-100 index climbed to 164,974, up 13,300 points (+8.77%), building on an earlier peak of 164,036 (+8.15%) at 9:57 am. By the close, the market posted substantial gains of 14,137.55 points, or 9.32%, and settled at 165,811.01.
“The KSE-100 opened sharply higher by 12,920 points (+8.5%), tracking a significant improvement in the external backdrop. Sentiment turned decisively positive after the US and Iran agreed to a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire, with talks set to take place in Islamabad on April 10, triggering a 15-16% drop in global oil prices as risk premium eased.
This led to a market halt as the KSE-30 stayed above 5% for five minutes,” KTrade Securities equity trader Ahmed Sheraz told The Express Tribune.
He added that improving Pakistan-Afghanistan ties, with Chinese assistance, and stable macro indicators, including a $1.43 billion Eurobond repayment and steady reserves/remittances reinforced investor confidence, alongside commitment of support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).