KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday extended the overnight recovery rally for the second straight session, supported by positive economic sentiment following easing of Middle East tensions, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 index above the 182,000-point level in intraday trade.
Topline Securities Ltd said the broad-based buying pushed the index back above the 181,000 level on easing geopolitical concerns and renewed institutional participation.
The index closed at 181,776.60, up 1,761.66 points, or 0.98 per cent. It traded within an intraday range of 180,626 to 182,007.
The market has now recovered nearly 4,700 points over the past two sessions, reversing a significant share of the losses recorded earlier this week. The sharp rebound was fuelled by improving risk appetite as concerns over Middle East tensions eased, and lower oil price volatility encouraged buying in cyclical sectors.
Index settles above 181,000 after gaining 1,762 points
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the market remained buoyant throughout the session, with investors continuing to strengthen their positions at attractive levels. Growing optimism about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz kept international oil prices under pressure, supporting overall market sentiment.
On the corporate front, Faysal Bank Ltd reported 2QCY26 profit after tax (PAT) of Rs5bn, translating into earnings per share (EPS) of Rs3.30, broadly flat year-on-year, and announced an interim dividend of Rs1.5 per share. Meezan Bank posted PAT of Rs25.8bn (EPS: Rs14.32), up 5pc year-on-year, and declared a Rs8 per share dividend.
United Bank, Mari Energies, Fauji Fertiliser, Lucky Cement, Bank Al-Habib, MCB Bank, Engro Holdings, Maple Leaf Cement Factory, Habib Bank, and Hub Power emerged as the top contributors, collectively adding 1,034 points to the benchmark.
Market activity remained healthy, with traded volume rising 7.12pc to 793.3 million shares and total turnover value increasing 12.26pc to Rs40.3bn. Bank of Punjab topped the volume chart with 66 million shares traded.
Analysts expect improving geopolitical conditions, softer international oil prices, and encouraging corporate earnings to keep investor sentiment positive. However, progress in US-Iran nego-tiations will remain the key catalyst for market direction.
Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026
