The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) moved higher on Tuesday, showing a strong recovery after the sharp losses recorded in the previous session.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index opened in the green and continued to build on early gains. By around 9:35am, the index had climbed to 149,081.9, up 2,238.93 points, with trading volume reaching over 18.4 million shares.
The upward trend continued through midday as investor activity picked up. By 1:01pm, the index had surged further to an intraday high of 149,865.7, gaining more than 3,000 points, while volume crossed 104.8 million shares.
As of 1:34pm on March 31, the KSE-100 Index was recorded at 149,464.76, showing a gain of 2,621.79 points, or 1.79 percent. The market moved within a day range of 147,743.67 to 149,865.70.
Overall participation remained strong, with total traded volume reaching about 129.4 million shares during the session. Despite the intraday rebound, the index is still down 14.13 percent so far this year, although it remains up 25.67 percent on a one-year basis.
Banking and energy stocks support gains
Market activity was led by several actively traded stocks. Among them, K-Electric, WorldCall Telecom and Dewan Salman Fibre showed gains, indicating interest in energy and telecom sectors.
Banking stocks also drew attention, with National Bank of Pakistan posting a notable rise of over 6 percent, while Bank of Punjab edged higher as well.
In the broader market, strong gains were seen in stocks such as MFFL rights, Tri-Star Power and Allied Services, each rising by around 10 percent or more during the session.
Some pressure remains in select stocks
Despite the overall positive trend, some stocks remained under pressure. Several companies, including 786 Investments, Siddiqsons Tin Plate and Escorts Investment Bank, recorded declines of up to 10 percent, reflecting selective selling.
Previous session
The gains come a day after the PSX witnessed a steep fall. On Monday, the KSE-100 Index closed at 146,842.97, down 4,864.54 points or 3.21 percent.
The previous session remained highly volatile, driven by concerns over rising oil prices, geopolitical tensions and potential risks to domestic economic activity. Trading volume during that session stood at over 308 million shares.
Tuesday’s recovery suggests improved investor sentiment, although market participants are likely to remain cautious given the recent volatility.
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