KSE-100 gains over 400 points in early trade
Auto, cement, bank and energy shares led the advance as Asian markets rose and oil prices eased, Business Recorder reported.
The benchmark KSE-100 index rose 409.21 points, or 0.24 percent, to 171,562.37 by 10:10am on Tuesday, Business Recorder reported. Buying was reported across automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration, power generation and refineries. Index-heavy stocks including Attock Refinery, Hub Power, Mari Energies, Oil and Gas Development Company, Pakistan Oilfields, Habib Bank, MCB Bank, Meezan Bank and National Bank traded in the green.
The advance followed a mixed Monday session in which the KSE-100 closed at 171,153.17, up 268.58 points or 0.16 percent, according to the Express Tribune and Business Recorder. The Express Tribune said the index moved between an intraday high of 171,732.62 and a low of 170,902.76. Dunya News carried a headline that the PSX opened the week higher with the KSE-100 gaining over 800 points, but other outlets put the final Monday gain at 268.58 points.
Business Recorder attributed Tuesday's buying to positive sentiment from rising Asian markets and easing geopolitical tensions. It reported that technology stocks led Asian markets higher as lower oil prices lifted sentiment and investors looked to US-Iran talks. Attention was also on a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the week.
On Monday, the Express Tribune reported, easing oil prices and hopes for diplomatic progress on the Iran conflict encouraged buying, though the early rally lost momentum. Traders were watching Saudi Arabia's recovery in oil shipments after attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces. Arif Habib Limited's Ali Najib was quoted as saying investor sentiment remained mixed, with expectations of additional Saudi crude supply easing concerns but renewed regional tensions keeping the outlook cautious.
According to the Express Tribune, Lucky Cement, Attock Refinery, Fauji Fertiliser, Mari Energies and Engro Fertiliser added 255 points on Monday, while Pakistan Services, Meezan Bank, Systems Limited, United Bank and Oil and Gas Development Company dragged the index by 172 points. Trading volume rose to 692.8 million shares from 576.2 million on Friday.
Separately, TechJuice reported, citing Arif Habib Limited, that Pakistan's power generation increased 5.1 percent year-on-year to 14,943 MW in August 2026, 1.4 percent above the seven-year August average but below the peak of 16,176 MW recorded in August 2021. Higher fuel prices pushed up the cost of electricity generation, the outlet said.
Going forward, the Express Tribune quoted AHL's Najib as saying market sentiment is expected to remain volatile, with selective buying likely if geopolitical tensions continue to ease and oil prices trend lower, while elevated energy prices, external-sector risks and the upcoming IMF review remain key factors.
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