Overview
- The market staged a strong rebound on Tuesday, when the KSE-100 jumped 2,592.79 points to close at 168,460.11 as bargain hunting followed Monday’s heavy sell‑off.
- Trading stayed choppy on Wednesday, with the index swinging between about 168,066 and 169,272 before finishing modestly higher at 168,580.40, a 120.30‑point gain.
- Investor confidence was buoyed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for PTI to cancel its long march and the government’s signal it is open to talks, though PTI described the offer as a 'mere offer'.
- Buying was broad based across banks, oil and gas, cement, power and autos while ready‑market volumes slipped slightly to roughly 432 million shares even as traded value rose to about Rs20–22 billion.
- Key risks to the recovery are higher oil prices from Gulf storms and regional tensions plus incomplete political negotiation; the FBR’s update to the IMF on Aasan Tax Scheme returns adds a macro policy watchpoint that could sway investor sentiment.