The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its bullish momentum on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surging by 2,051 points, or 1.43 per cent, to close at a record high of 145,088.

Earlier in the day, the index scaled an intraday high of 2,150 points, reflecting sustained investor confidence.

Banking stocks led the rally, with HBL, NBP, MEBL, and UBL collectively adding 1,017 points to the benchmark index. HBL and NBP hit their upper circuits during intraday trading, although mild profit-taking toward the session’s close slightly trimmed their gains.

Investor activity remained strong, as the volume of shares traded jumped to 784 million and turnover reached Rs52.7 billion — both significantly higher than previous sessions. The Bank of Punjab (BOP) dominated the volume chart with 67 million shares changing hands.

Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation attributed the rally to improved macroeconomic sentiment.

“A strong rupee, government subsidies for the fully funded remittances scheme, rising global crude oil prices, and the government’s resolve to address circular debt in the power sector helped boost industrial sentiment,” he said.

He added that financial restructuring measures and expectations of tariff easing for industries further supported the day’s bullish close.