The Pakistan Stock Exchange moved higher on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index maintaining a firm tone after a strong start to the session.
Trading began on a positive note, although the index briefly dipped to around 163,033 points soon after the opening bell. Momentum quickly returned, pushing the market to an intraday high of 164,309.64 points by late morning.
By 12:34 PM, the index was hovering at 163,388.08, up 1,583 points, or nearly 1 percent, from the previous close of 161,805.02. Activity remained healthy, with total traded volume nearing 90 million shares during the session.
Selective buying keeps market afloat
The overall upward move was supported by gains in several heavyweight stocks, though trading remained mixed across sectors.
Among the notable performers within the KSE-100 index, companies such as Service Industries, Bank Al Habib, United Bank and TRG Pakistan recorded solid gains. K-Electric also stayed in the green, reflecting continued investor interest in low-priced stocks.
On the other hand, some stocks faced selling pressure. Indus Motor Company, Cherat Cement, Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans and Engro Holdings were among those that edged lower, limiting the broader market’s upside.
Activity picks up in broader market
In the wider market, trading activity remained concentrated in a handful of actively traded stocks. Oil and gas, banking and power sector shares saw steady participation.
Among the most active names, Cnergyico, Bank of Punjab and K-Electric posted modest gains, while Hascol Petroleum also attracted buying interest. However, some stocks moved sharply in both directions, showing a degree of volatility in smaller counters.
Several companies posted strong percentage gains during the session. GSPM led the advancers with a near 14 percent rise, while other stocks including TCORP, OBOY, and BPL also recorded gains close to the upper limit.
At the same time, a number of stocks remained under pressure. ANLNV and HIRAT were among the biggest decliners, each losing over 10 percent, highlighting the uneven nature of trading across the board.
Market still below yearly peak
Despite the day’s gains, the benchmark index remains below its 52-week high of 191,032.73 points. It has risen more than 36 percent over the past year, though it is still down over 6 percent since the start of 2026.
The session reflects cautious optimism among investors, with buying interest returning in selected stocks while overall sentiment remains sensitive to broader economic cues.
Read next: PSX swings back to gains after early losses
