Friday, December 12 2025

PSX takes pause as profit-taking dominates
Profit-taking continued at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the second consecutive day on Thursday, which brought major sectors under selling pressure, dragging the benchmark KSE-100 index down by nearly 900 points. Following an initial spike to the intra-day peak of 170,301, the market dived early in the day and registered a notable decline before midday. Thereafter, the bourse steadied for a significant time, but it again dropped, touching the intra-day low of 168,548 just before close. Investors resorted to profit-booking at higher valuations, despite the settlement of power-sector debt worth Rs660 billion in the largest-ever transaction in Pakistan's capital market. The index crossed the 170k milestone for the second day in a row; however, it could not stay above that level for long.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

Thursday, December 11 2025

Profit-taking pulls stocks down from 170k
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) crossed the historical milestone of 170,000 points on Wednesday, but it could not hold the fresh peak and fell gradually to close trading on a flat note. Investors were inclined to book profits at significantly higher valuations of equities, which dragged the market down from the intra-day high of 170,698 earlier in the session to the intra-day low of 169,239 towards the close of trading. A day ago, the benchmark KSE-100 index had surged by 1,153 points to the all-time high of 169,456 on the back of loan approvals by the International Monetary Fund and robust buying by mutual funds. Though there were other encouraging factors as well like a 9% rise in remittances from overseas Pakistanis to $16 billion in Jul-Nov 2025, increase in margins for oil marketing firms and petroleum dealers and a Rs2.5 billion bailout for PIA Holding Co, the stock market could not sustain gains on Wednesday and gave in to profit-taking pressure.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

PSX to witness 16 IPOs in 2026 as 3-year stock rally tops 300%: Bloomberg
The record-breaking performance of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is drawing companies back to equities, setting up what bankers say could be a banner year for initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2026, reported Bloomberg on Wednesday. According to the report, two of Pakistan’s leading investment banks — Arif Habib Ltd. and Ktrade Securities Ltd. — have a combined pipeline of 16 IPOs over the next seven months. The PSX benchmark KSE-100 Index has gained over 47% this year, emerging as one of the best performers in the world. “With valuations now reaching long-term averages, offerings are set for a comeback,” read the report. PQFTL to raise Rs1.1bn through Dec 11 IPO “Current market valuations are attractive for raising equity,” Shahid Ali Habib, chief executive officer at Arif Habib, told Bloomberg, who expects to bring as many as eight IPOs through June.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

KAPCO resumes power generation as NEPRA clears tariff hurdles
Kot Addu Power Company Limited (KAPCO) has resumed supplying electricity to the national grid after more than two months, following a decision by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to provisionally extend its tariff period, according to a press release. The plant had been offline since October 1 due to tariff limitations arising from the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) and Power Acquisition Programme (PAP). NEPRA’s determination, issued on December 9, removes these constraints and allows immediate restoration of KAPCO’s 495MW gas/RLNG and 478MW LSFO-based generation capacity. The regulator acted after detailed submissions from the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), National Grid Company of Pakistan Limited (NGC), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) and the Ministry of Energy.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators power-gen-dist psx stock-exchanges
Related symbols: kapco (news stock)

SNGPL’s profitability declines to Rs14.6bn in FY2025
The profitability of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) declined to Rs14.6 billion (EPS: Rs23.01) in fiscal year 2025 from Rs19 billion (EPS: Rs29.92) in fiscal year 2024, mainly due to a reduction in the Return on Assets (ROA) as the regulated return fell from 26.22 percent to 21.25 percent following a decline in the interest rate. According to Topline Securities, SNGPL conducted a corporate briefing on Wednesday, where the management discussed financial performance and future outlook. The management noted that the payout has temporarily declined due to the circular debt situation. However, they expect the payout ratio to improve once the issue is resolved. KPMG has been engaged as a consultant to support the resolution of circular debt, and significant efforts are currently under way. Regarding changes to their asset-based model, management stated that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has been working on revising the rate of return in its previous ROA decision. The OGRA indicated that a revision would occur after some time, and the OGRA is now exercising this option. They believe there will be no change to the fixed-based regime, and it will continue like this.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators oilgas-exploration oilgas-marketing psx stock-exchanges
Related symbols: sngp (news stock)