KARACHI: The stock market staged a modest recovery on Tuesday, snapping a four-session losing streak as the benchmark KSE-100 index gained 837.5 points, or 0.56 per cent, to close at 150,016.16 points, up from the previous session’s close of 149,178.66 points. Investor confidence improved with the current account surplus numbers.
The index touched an intraday high of 151,503.47 points before easing back, with the session low recorded at 148,509.05 points. The KSE-30 index, however, ended virtually flat, slipping by just 1.03 points to close at 45,486.46 points, against 45,487.49 points in the prior session.
Ali Najib, deputy head of trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX witnessed a mixed yet resilient session and regained the 150k level on a closing basis. The index exhibited notable volatility, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.
Market confidence improved following the release of a robust current account surplus of $427 million for February 2026, the highest since March 2025. “Going forward, the market may remain under pressure amid heightened geopolitical tensions. However, any signs of de-escalation on this front could help improve investor sentiment and provide support to the market,” he said.
Trading volumes declined further. Shares traded in the ready market fell by 12.69 per cent to 260.428 million from 298.27 million in the previous session. Traded value also contracted by 14.76 per cent to Rs17.205 billion from Rs20.185 billion. Market capitalisation edged marginally lower by 0.19 per cent to Rs16.793 trillion from Rs16.825 trillion.
Of the 475 companies active during the session, 223 closed in positive territory, 182 recorded losses, and 70 remained unchanged.Among the top gainers, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited rose by Rs234.62 to close at Rs24,452 per share. PIA Holding Company Limited also rebounded, adding Rs150 to close at Rs16,200 per share.
On the declining side, The Thal Industries Corporation Limited fell by Rs58.03 to close at Rs636.18 per share. Shield Corporation Limited shed Rs49.85 to close at Rs850.28 per share.Maaz Mulla, VP equity sales at Topline Securities Limited, said the local bourse saw a two-way session, swinging between an intraday high of +2,324 points and a low of -669 points.
Support came from stable oil prices and positive regional markets; however, volumes told the real story, activity stayed muted throughout the session, signalling that investors are still playing it safe and waiting for clearer direction before making aggressive bets.
Among index-heavy stocks, MCB, UBL, HUBC, PPL and ENGROH emerged as key gainers, collectively adding 737 points to the index. On the flip side, HBL, NBP, DGKC, BOP and FCCL weighed heavily on the market, cumulatively dragging 266 points from the benchmark.
BO Punjab led the volume table with 32.25 million shares traded, though the stock slipped by 77 paisas to close at Rs25.79 per share. K-Electric Ltd. followed with 18.076 million shares, gaining 14 paisas to close at Rs7.41 per share.
Other significant turnover stocks included WorldCall Telecom, Pak Elektron, Nishat ChunPower, National Bank XD, F Nat Equities, DGK Cement, Cnergyico PK, and Nishat Power.
In the futures market, 328 companies recorded trading activity, of which 181 advanced, 137 declined, and 10 remained unchanged, reflecting a broadly positive mood in the derivatives segment that mirrored the recovery in the ready market.
