After several sessions of sustained selling pressure, optimism made a firm comeback at the Pakistan Stock Exchange as the benchmark KSE-100 index staged an impressive recovery, powered by renewed investor confidence and strong performances in key sectors.

The market opened on Wednesday with a distinctly positive note and maintained its bullish momentum throughout the session. The index surged to an intra-day peak of 163,397.24, reflecting robust sentiment across index-heavy sectors like fertiliser and banking. Even with early dips touching an intra-day low of 160,564.86, the market quickly regained traction.

By the closing bell, the KSE-100 had settled at 163,188.53, marking a strong increase of 1,496.04 points, or 0.93%, compared to the previous close of 161,692.49.

The sharp rebound suggests investors are positioning ahead of anticipated policy developments, improved macroeconomic cues, and attractive valuations following recent declines. With momentum turning in favour of the bulls, the PSX appears poised for further activity as traders assess the sustainability of the midweek rally.

KTrade Securities noted that the PSX staged a strong rebound on Wednesday, closing firmly in the green. The benchmark KSE-100 index advanced by 1,496 points (+0.93%) day-on-day (DoD) to settle at 163,188, signalling renewed buying interest after recent pressure.

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Fertiliser stocks led the charge, with Fauji Fertiliser standing out. Notable strength also came from Meezan Bank, Habib Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, and Oil & Gas Development Company, all of which contributed meaningfully to the day’s upward momentum.

Market activity remained healthy, with KSE All-Share turnover clocking in at 635 million shares. KTrade expects sentiment to remain constructive in the near term, supported by rollover-driven flows and anticipation of key macroeconomic triggers. Investors will closely monitor progress toward the next IMF tranche, while regional geopolitical developments remain important drivers of market direction, it added.

Overall trading volume jumped to 636.4 million shares, up from Tuesday’s tally of 590.5 million. The value of traded shares stood at Rs30.9 billion. Stocks of 474 companies were traded. Of these, 136 closed higher, 290 declined, and 48 remained unchanged.