KSE-100 Gains 999 Points as PSX Extends Recovery on February 20

Karachi: The benchmark KSE-100 Index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its recovery on February 20, 2026, closing 999.42 points higher at 173,169.71. The 0.58 percent gain reflects renewed investor confidence, particularly in energy, cement and technology sectors, following recent market volatility.
According to the official market wrap, the KSE-100 opened at 172,716.15 and traded within a range of 169,592.53 to 174,148.33 during the session. After witnessing early selling pressure that pushed the index to its intraday low, buying activity strengthened in the latter half of the session, allowing the market to close comfortably in positive territory.
Energy giant OGDC led the list of pullers, contributing 147.40 points to the index. Cement manufacturer MLCF followed with 127.68 points, while PPL added 119.81 points. Technology stock SYS and fertilizer producer FFC also supported the upward trajectory, signaling broader sector participation.
On the downside, MCB Bank emerged as the leading dragger with a negative contribution of 98 points. TRG, PSEL, BAFL and FATIMA also posted losses, limiting the overall index gain. Analysts noted that while selective profit-taking occurred in banking and industrial stocks, it was insufficient to offset gains in heavyweight energy shares.
Trading activity remained strong, with index constituent volume reaching 245.48 million shares, indicating healthy investor engagement. Market experts suggest that the steady participation signals confidence in Pakistan’s equity market despite recent fluctuations.
The fiscal year-to-date (FYTD) performance of the KSE-100 stands at an impressive 37.84 percent, underscoring robust gains over the longer term. However, the calendar year-to-date (CYTD) figure remains slightly negative at 0.51 percent, reflecting cautious investor sentiment in early 2026.
Analysts believe that sustained macroeconomic stability, consistent corporate earnings and policy clarity will be critical in maintaining positive momentum. The recovery session highlights the resilience of the Pakistan Stock Exchange amid short-term volatility.