Karachi: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a robust performance with the KSE 100 index surging by 1,900.34 points to close at 148,743.31, marking a 1.29% increase. The KSE 30 index also advanced by 600.18 points, recording a 1.35% gain. The day saw significant activity in the banking and energy sectors, with key players driving the market upward.

According to JS Global, the top gainers included Bank of New York Mellon (BNWM), which rose by 8.68% to reach a price of 62.00, and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), which climbed by 7.21% to 168.58. Allied Bank Limited (AKBL) also showed a strong performance, gaining 7.12% to close at 81.81. The energy sector highlighted Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) with a notable increase in its April futures, and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) saw a significant rise in trading volume.

The PSX market capitalization saw a 1.27% increase, reaching Rs 16,534.35 billion, which translates to approximately $59.23 billion. Despite the daily gains, the year-to-date (YTD) figures for the calendar year 2026 indicated a decline of 16.03% in market capitalization.

In terms of market turnover, a total of 434.96 million shares were traded, with a value of Rs 22.54 billion or $80.75 million. The volume leaders included K-Electric (KEL), Dost Steels Limited (DSL), and Worldcall Telecom Limited (WTL), contributing significantly to the day's trading volume.

The regional markets presented a mixed picture, with China's SSEA and Indonesia's JKSE experiencing declines, while the Philippines' PSI recorded a positive change. The Korean KOSPI underwent a notable dip of 4.3%, while Taiwan's TWII fell by 2.4%.

The PSX's performance on this trading day reflects a positive sentiment in the market, particularly in the banking and energy sectors, providing a boost amidst challenging YTD trends.