The Pakistan Stock Exchange continued its upward momentum as the KSE-100 Index posted a solid gain of 2.85% during trading on March 18, 2026.
The index opened at 150,562 points and steadily climbed throughout the day, reflecting positive investor sentiment. By the close of trading, it reached 154,292 points, marking a significant increase of over 4,200 points.
Market activity remained strong, with trading volumes touching 213.82 million shares. The rally was largely driven by key sectors including banking, oil, and fertilizers.
UBL emerged as the top contributor, adding more than 519 points to the index. Other major contributors included OGDC, FFC, PPL, and MEBL, which supported the overall upward trend.
However, some stocks faced downward pressure. NBP was the biggest laggard, followed by PABC and HINOON, slightly offsetting gains.
Despite the positive daily performance, the CYTD figure remains at -11.35%, indicating earlier market corrections. Meanwhile, the FYTD return of 22.82% reflects strong overall growth in the current financial year.
Experts suggest that consistent economic stability and investor confidence could sustain this upward trend in the coming days.
PSX KSE-100 Performance Overview
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Open | 150,562.73 |
| High | 154,684.45 |
| Low | 150,284.26 |
| Close | 154,292.26 |
| % Change | +2.85% |
