PSX Closing Bell: A Quiet Green Finish

September 23, 2026 (MLN): The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed Wednesday’s trading session at 172,232.51, gaining 830.43 points or 0.48%, as broad-based buying lifted the market amid cautious optimism over developments in the Middle East.

Oil prices remained mixed as investors assessed the potential impact of U.S.-Iran talks, with hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict helping temper concerns over further disruptions in global crude supplies. The developments provided some support to risk sentiment.

The index stayed in positive territory throughout the session, touching an intraday high of 172,762.41, up 1,360.33 points, while its low stood at 171,843.50, reflecting a gain of 441.42 points.

Trading activity strengthened, with KSE-100 volume reaching 274.87 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies, 65 closed higher, 35 lower, while none remained unchanged.

CNERGY led the gainers, surging 8.41%, followed by ATRL (+4.52%), SSGC (+3.51%), PSX (+2.91%), and SNGP (+2.24%).

On the losing side, PSEL fell 5.79%, followed by IBFL (-2.87%), KEL (-2.83%), PIBTL (-1.62%), and JDWS (-1.49%).

FFC contributed the most to the index gain, adding 167.36 points, followed by UBL (+112.45pts), MEBL (+81.43pts), ATRL (+76.89pts), and ENGROH (+56.17pts).

Conversely, MCB dragged the index down by 84.61 points, followed by PSEL (-77.57pts), KEL (-18.65pts), BAFL (-14.63pts), and NBP (-9.25pts).

Sector-wise, Fertilizer led the market’s support with a contribution of 201.82 points, followed by Commercial Banks (+164.12pts), Refinery (+131.07pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+130.77pts), and Inv. Banks / Inv. Cos. / Securities Cos. (+79.24pts).

The index faced pressure from Miscellaneous, which shed 70.35 points, while Transport, Real Estate Investment Trust, Synthetic & Rayon, and Sugar & Allied Industries dragged the index by 7.43pts, 6.20pts, 4.23pts, and 4.16pts, respectively.

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 104,231.79, gaining 469.06 points or 0.45%.

Total market volume rose to 773.59m shares from 641.83m in the previous session, while traded value increased by Rs7.99bn to Rs26.45bn.

A total of 357,260 trades were reported across 495 companies, with 261 stocks closing higher, 196 lower, and 38 unchanged.

To note, the KSE-100 has lost 8,069 points or 4.48% during the fiscal year, whereas it has decreased 1,822 points or 1.05% so far this calendar year.

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