Pakistan’s benchmark equity index, the KSE-100, gained 4,266.79 points by market close on Thursday, signalling recovering sentiment after previous sessions saw a sustained sell-off.

The advance placed the index 2.59 per cent above its previous close of 164,626.29 points.

During trading, a total of 291 scrips advanced, 145 declined, and 131 remained unchanged from their previous close. A total of 355,320,144 shares were traded by market close.

The index touched an intraday low of 162,953.63 and a high of 169,374.27. The range reflected the elevated volatility that has persisted from earlier in the week into today’s trading.

According to Topline Securities, “as the session progressed, the tone changed”. The brokerage house noted that selling pressure eased, and buyers returned with renewed confidence, turning a tentative recovery into a broad-based rally.

The strong close suggested some improvement in investor sentiment. On Wednesday, the index had also staged an early rebound, but ultimately closed in the red, shedding 1,632.25 points, suggesting continued fragility.

Among the most actively traded stocks, Unity Foods Limited led volumes, declining 10.02pc to Rs11.85 on turnover of 71,443,224 shares. It was followed by Bank of Punjab, which gained 7.76pc to Rs31.81 on volume of 38,659,618 shares, and K-Electric Limited, up 1.43pc to Rs7.82 on 35,071,352 shares.

Among the top gainers, Blue-Ex Limited rose 19.34pc to Rs6.17, while Media Times Limited advanced 12.41pc to Rs5.89 and Bunnys Limited gained 11.6pc to Rs9.62.

Among losers, LSE Capital Limited (Right) was among the steepest decliners, falling 52pc to Rs0.36. LOADS Limited (Right) also remained under pressure, down 20.99pc to Rs0.64, while TPL Properties shed 11.24pc to Rs7.82.

Overall, according to analysts at Topline Securities, this session signals the bulls’ return to center stage.