The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) maintained its upward momentum on Thursday as strong buying lifted the benchmark KSE-100 Index. The index gained more than 1,400 points during morning trading.
At 11:00am, the KSE-100 Index stood at 181,435.67 points. It gained 1,420.74 points, marking an increase of 0.79%.
Major Sectors Support PSX Rally
Buying interest remained visible across several major sectors. Investors showed strong activity in automobile assemblers, cement, chemicals, and commercial banks.
The fertilizer sector also attracted buying interest. Meanwhile, oil and gas exploration companies, oil marketing companies, and power generation firms also contributed to the gains.
The latest rise followed an impressive session on Wednesday. The PSX staged a strong recovery and pushed the KSE-100 Index above the key 180,000-point level.
The index had remained below that psychological threshold for 16 trading sessions. However, Wednesday’s buying activity changed the trend.
The benchmark closed Wednesday at 180,014.93 points. It gained 2,931.71 points, or 1.66%, during the session.
Pakistan’s Trade Deficit Widens
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s trade deficit increased by 25.17% year-on-year in July 2026. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data, the deficit reached $3.948 billion.
The deficit stood at $3.15 billion during July 2025. Pakistan recorded exports worth $2.939 billion in July 2026.
However, imports climbed to $6.887 billion during the month. In comparison, exports reached $2.683 billion and imports stood at $5.837 billion in July 2025.
Oil Prices Fall Amid Global Developments
In global markets, oil prices declined on Thursday. Investors closely monitored developments in talks between Iran and Oman.
Markets also assessed the possibility of progress toward a US-Iran agreement. Such a deal could potentially end the five-month conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Therefore, developments in global energy markets could continue influencing investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the PSX’s latest gains signal renewed confidence among local investors.
