TODAY’S PAPER | May 20, 2026 | EPAPER

KSE-100 rises 715 points as buying activity picks up across key sectors

Index touches intraday high of 163,814 amid positive investor sentiment, easing oil prices


Our Correspondent May 20, 2026 1 min read
Photo: Express

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a cautious yet positive start to Wednesday’s trading session, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index showing early signs of stability amid improving investor sentiment. The benchmark KSE-100 Index was trading at 163,611.87 with gains of 715.19 points or 0.44% at 1:44pm.

At around 9:39am, the index climbed to 162,940.75 points, gaining 44.07 points, or 0.03%, shortly after trading commenced. As the session progressed, the market maintained a steady upward trajectory, reflecting measured buying activity across key sectors. According to market data, the index touched an intraday high of 163,814.63 and a low of 162,895.74, trading at 163,611.87.

Investor interest remained visible in automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, and power generation stocks, helping the market sustain momentum during early trading hours.

Read: PSX stages modest rally, gains 1,092 points

Market sentiment was further supported by developments in global oil markets. Oil prices slipped nearly 1% on Wednesday after United States President Donald Trump reiterated that the conflict involving Iran could conclude “very quickly.”

However, investors continued to monitor the outcome of ongoing peace negotiations closely, amid lingering concerns over disruptions to Middle Eastern oil supplies. Meanwhile, trading volume stood at 92.97 million shares, while the total traded value reached Rs8.03 billion with trading underway.

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