The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its recovery on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining 1,269.55 points, or 0.77%, to close at 165,736.75 points as investors remained active despite heightened regional tensions.
The market experienced a volatile session, initially facing selling pressure before recovering in the afternoon. The latest gain marked the second consecutive session of positive performance. On Tuesday, the benchmark index had risen by 1,428.73 points, or 0.88%, to close at 164,467.20 points.
Investor sentiment received support from buying activity across key sectors and easing international oil prices in the previous session, despite the State Bank of Pakistan’s recent 50-basis-point increase in the policy rate.
Meanwhile, global stock markets largely advanced on Wednesday, supported by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and strong technology-sector earnings. However, oil prices rose more than 1% after Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a missile strike against Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery, raising concerns about potential disruptions to regional energy supplies.
Brent crude futures increased by $1.36, or 1.2%, to $115.24 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose by $1.62, or 1.6%, to $101.52 per barrel. Investors continued to monitor geopolitical developments, crude inventories, and the outlook for OPEC+ production.
