Stocks up 1,291 points on renewed investor interest

KARACHI: Following a couple of bearish sessions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a bull run on Wednesday. The benchmark KSE-100 index increased by 1,291 points on renewed investor interest.

The KSE-100 closed higher by 1,291.15 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 162,226.28 points, up from the 160,935.13 points recorded in the last session. The day’s highest index remained at 162,741.73 points, while the lowest was 161,279.02 points.

Analyst Ali Najib at Arif Habib Ltd said the PSX witnessed a comeback by bulls, as the KSE-100 index concluded the session on a positive note.The highlight of the day was FFC’s bull run. The stock rally since the week initiated on the back of its inclusion in the KMI-30 Index effective from Monday, November 24, 2025. This reshuffling injected fresh institutional interest, reinforcing stability in an otherwise sentiment-sensitive environment.

On the corporate front, Shield Corporation (SCL) (+10 per cent) hit the upper circuit post its announcement to the PSX for voluntary delisting and a buyback of minority-held shares, a corporate action that typically signals strong sponsor confidence in long-term fundamentals.

“As the index regains momentum above the 162k mark, investors are now watching whether this emerging strength can sustain and push the market back toward the upper band of its broader consolidation range of 160-170k,” Ali Najib said. “However, 164-165k level can likely prove a resistance to achieve it.”

The KSE-30 index increased by 547.55 points or 1.12 per cent to 49,228.54 points against 48,680.99 points.Turnover dropped by 516 million shares to 1,029.78 million shares from 1,545.928 million shares. The traded value rose to Rs45.177 billion from Rs38.855 billion. Market capitalisation expanded to Rs18.483 trillion against Rs18.376 trillion. Of the 484 companies active in the session, 194 closed in green, 244 in red, and 46 remained unchanged.

Investor sentiment remained broadly constructive, with key index heavyweights — FFC, PPL, OGDC, PSO and EFERT — serving as principal drivers of the upward movement. Collectively, these constituents contributed approximately 1,383 points to the overall index performance.

The highest increase was recorded in Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which rose by Rs249.97 to Rs29,899.96 per share, followed by Supernet Technologies Limited, which increased by Rs95.54 to Rs1,978.15 per share. A significant decline was noted in PIA Holding Company Limited B, which fell by Rs781.95 to Rs24,205.05 per share, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited followed it, which closed lower by Rs71.65 to Rs9,388.33 per share.

WorldCall Telecom remained the volume leader with 160.116 million shares, which closed lower by 14 paisas to Rs1.91 per share. Bank Makramah, with 111.697 million shares, followed it, which closed higher by 13 paisas to Rs6.12 per share.Other significant turnover stocks included Beco Steel Ltd, K-Electric Ltd, Pak Int Bulk, PTCL, Pace (Pak) Ltd, Lotte Chemical, Maple Leaf and Telecard Limited. In the futures market, 318 companies traded, 134 increased, 180 decreased and 4 remained unchanged.