Pakistan stocks closed sharply higher on Tuesday as improving investor sentiment and broad-based buying across key sectors propelled the benchmark KSE-100 Index above the 180,000-point mark. The index gained 1,886.91 points, or 1.06%, to settle at 180,301.70.

During the session, the KSE-100 touched an intraday high of 180,150.41 and a low of 179,020.11.

Buying was observed in major sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, oil marketing companies (OMCs), power generation and refineries. Index-heavy stocks remained firmly in positive territory, underpinning the market’s strong performance.

The market had opened on a positive note, maintaining its upward trajectory throughout the session as investors continued to accumulate blue-chip stocks amid improving market confidence. Healthy trading activity also reflected sustained investor participation, with broad-based gains helping the benchmark index extend its advance by the close.

KTrade Securities equity trader Ahmed Sheraz noted that the KSE-100 index closed at 180,301 points, gaining 1,886 points (+1.06% DoD). The benchmark index closed in green as improving investor sentiment and broad-based buying supported gains across key index-heavy sectors, while continued weakness in international oil prices remained a positive trigger for the market.

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Volumes stood at 296 million shares traded. On the positive side, the largest index contributions came from Fauji Fertiliser, Hub Power, and United Bank.

Going forward, market sentiment is likely to remain supported by subdued international oil prices following the United States-Iran agreement, with investors closely monitoring the next phase of technical talks, including discussions related to the Strait of Hormuz.

On the domestic front, attention is expected to gradually shift towards the upcoming corporate result season, as listed companies begin issuing notices in the coming weeks, keeping earnings expectations in focus, Sheraz added.

Cumulatively, trading volume decreased to 703.6 million shares from 869.3 million recorded on Monday while the value of traded shares stood at Rs38.8 billion.

In the ready market, shares of 492 companies were traded, of which 301 stocks rose, 162 fell, and 29 remained unchanged. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal became the volume leader with trading in 58.3 million shares, gaining Rs0.81 to close at Rs19.08.