The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) staged a powerful rally on Tuesday as investors returned from the long weekend with renewed buying interest, driving the benchmark KSE-100 Index up more than 5,400 points amid support from strong remittance inflows and easing international oil prices. The benchmark index settled at 179,335.24 points, gaining 5,448.56 points, or 3.13%, from the previous close of 173,886.68. It touched an intraday high of 179,424.04 points, while the day's low stood at 176,273.72. The market reopened after a long weekend, with trading suspended on Monday on account of Iqbal Day. The return of investors coincided with improving domestic and international sentiment, providing support for an across-the-board upward move. The rally followed a strong opening, with the index gaining 2,852.32 points, or 1.64%, to reach 176,739.00 within minutes of the opening bell. By midday, it had climbed to 178,540.36, up 4,653.68 points, or 2.68%, as buying momentum continued to build. On the domestic front, strong remittance inflows helped reinforce investor confidence by supporting the country's external account outlook. Meanwhile, the decline in international oil prices offered additional relief, particularly amid concerns over Pakistan's exposure to imported energy and the potential impact of higher fuel costs on inflation and the balance of payments. Internationally, oil prices extended losses after United States President Donald Trump downplayed the need for further military action against Iran, easing fears of sustained supply disruptions in the Middle East. Read: PSX stages strongest rally in six months Brent crude futures fell $2.39, or 2.58%, to $90.18 a barrel by 0930 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures declined $2.11, or 2.43%, to $84.74 a barrel. The retreat in crude prices reflected reduced concerns about a prolonged disruption to regional oil supplies, while prospects of an oversupplied global market also remained in focus. The sharp retreat in oil prices improved investor sentiment, triggering broad-based buying across the board and helping the benchmark index reclaim the 175,000 level for the first time since September 1, 2026. From the index contribution perspective, UBL, LUCK, MEBL, SYS, ENGROH, BAHL, HBL, HUBC, OGDC and PPL were the major contributors to the rally, collectively adding approximately 1,981 points to the benchmark index. Going forward, the market is likely to maintain its bullish momentum amid easing oil prices and improved global risk appetite. However, profit-taking may emerge at higher levels, keeping investors selective and cautious, Arif Habib Limited's Ali Najib wrote. Cumulatively, trading volume decreased to 972.4 million from Friday's close of 1.47 billion while the value of traded shares stood at Rs50.6 billion. Shares of 501 companies were traded in the ready market, of which 363 stocks closed higher, 107 fell and 31 remained unchanged. Cnergyico PK was the volume leader with trading in 70 million shares.