March 31, 2026 (MLN): The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) staged a strong recovery on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing higher after a volatile previous session, as improved investor sentiment was driven by easing oil prices and optimism over a potential de-escalation in Middle East tensions.

The KSE-100 Index settled at 148,743.31, gaining 1,900.34 points or 1.29%.

The index remained in positive territory throughout the session, hitting an intraday high of 150,225.63 (+3,382.66) and a low of 147,743.67 (+900.70). Total traded volume stood at 232.74 million shares.

Market breadth turned decisively positive, with 72 companies closing higher, 26 declining, and 2 remaining unchanged.

Among the top gainers were BNWM (+8.68%), NBP (+7.21%), AKBL (+7.12%), ATLH (+5.67%), and KOHC (+5.22%). On the downside, SCBPL (-8.13%), ILP (-4.18%), HGFA (-3.64%), AGP (-3.16%), and NML (-2.94%) were among the top losers.

In terms of index-point contributions, the rally was led by NBP (+199.07pts), MEBL (+188.62pts), LUCK (+178.26pts), OGDC (+158.73pts), and MARI (+117.09pts). Meanwhile, UBL (-146.79pts), FATIMA (-34.08pts), SCBPL (-31.49pts), ILP (-30.33pts), and NML (-19.95pts) capped gains.

Sector-wise, the index was supported by Commercial Banks (+647.73pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+311.81pts), Cement (+295.71pts), Power Generation & Distribution (+118.85pts), and Automobile Assemblers (+111.35pts). On the flip side, Textile Composite (-46.98pts) and a few defensive sectors closed lower.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index ended at 89,074.96, up 1,107.38 points or 1.26%.

Overall market activity moderated, with total volume declining to 434.96 million shares from 529.13 million in the previous session, while traded value fell to Rs22.54 billion, down Rs7.06 billion. A total of 264,237 trades were recorded across 479 companies, with 281 closing higher, 137 declining, and 61 remaining unchanged.

The rebound in the market was largely attributed to a decline in global oil prices, which eased concerns over inflation and external account pressures for Pakistan. fell  after signals that U.S. President Donald Trump may be seeking a quicker resolution to the ongoing Iran conflict.

The softer oil outlook, combined with expectations of reduced geopolitical risk, helped restore investor confidence, triggering broad-based buying across key sectors, particularly banking, cement, and energy stocks.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 23,116 points or 18.40% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 25,311 points or 14.54% so far this calendar year.

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