PSX: Buying continues, KSE-100 gains over 800 points

Business Recorder reported that the KSE-100 closed Wednesday's choppy session at 172,232.51, a rise of 830.43 points or 0.48 per cent. Trading began with a sharp jump, then sellers pushed the index toward 172,000 before buyers returned around noon. The index touched an intra-day high of 172,762.41 but gave back ground through the afternoon, recovering only modestly in the final hour.

Topline Securities linked the advance to lower global crude rates and a calmer tone in US-Iran dealings, which revived risk appetite. Refinery counters led the gains, with PRL hitting its upper circuit as market talk suggested the long-awaited refinery policy could be finalised soon, while ATRL, NRL and CNERGY also finished higher. The brokerage added that FFC, UBL, MEBL, ATRL and ENGROH together contributed about 493 points to the index.

Separately, Business Recorder reported that an IMF mission led by Iva Petrova has opened discussions with Pakistani authorities on the upcoming assessment under the $7-billion Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility, citing official sources. Trading volume on the all-share index rose to 773.59 million shares from 641.83 million, while the value of shares climbed to Rs26.45 billion. The rupee gained Rs0.01 against the dollar to close at 277.20 in the interbank market.