ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) returned to positive territory on Wednesday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 641.07 points, or 0.39%, to close at 165,417.51 points.
The index had settled at 164,776.44 points in the previous trading session.
Trading activity also strengthened, with 585.894 million shares changing hands in the ready market, up from 383.746 million shares a day earlier.
The value of traded shares increased to Rs20.073 billion from Rs13.104 billion in the previous session.
Market capitalisation rose to Rs18.391 trillion, compared with Rs18.325 trillion recorded a day earlier.
Of the 501 companies traded in the ready market, 256 closed higher, 200 declined and 45 remained unchanged, reflecting an overall positive market trend.
WorldCall Telecom topped the volume chart with 87.347 million shares, followed by Pak Refinery with 42.296 million shares and Cnergyico PK with 41.183 million shares.
Among the leading gainers, PIA Holding Company Limited B increased by Rs487.50 to close at Rs14,487.50.
Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited gained Rs417.18 to finish the session at Rs25,444.18.
On the losing side, Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited fell by Rs38.95 to Rs8,535.93, while Blessed Textiles Limited declined by Rs35.65 to close at Rs794.35.
In the futures market, turnover reached 151.683 million shares with a traded value of Rs11.208 billion, compared with 106.801 million shares worth Rs8.948 billion in the previous session.
Of the 326 companies traded in the futures market, 162 advanced, 156 declined and eight remained unchanged.