Tuesday, August 05 2025

PSX hits record high, breaching 142,000-mark
The Pakis­tan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached an unprecedented milestone on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index breaching the 142,000 mark for the first time. The rally was driven by optimism surrounding strong corporate earnings announcements expected this week, alongside a landmark tariff deal with the United States and growing expectations of a resolution to the circular debt crisis in the power sector. Positive performance in sectors such as cement, oil, and gas further bolstered investor confidence, propelling the index to its highest-ever closing level. Ahsan Mehanti from Arif Habib Corporation attributed the market’s surge to speculations ahead of major earnings announcements expected this week. The cement sector was a standout performer, buoyed by reports of record cement dispatches in July, which surged by 30pc year-on-year. Other contributing factors included strong corporate earnings, the favourable US tariff agreement, stability in the Pakistani rupee, the government’s resolve to address circular debt, and lower inflation for July. According to Topline Securities Ltd, the KSE-100 index closed at 142,098 points, marking a gain of 1,018 points, or 0.72pc, its highest-ever closing level. Positive sentiment was also bolstered by the Oil & Gas Development Company’s (OGDC) receipt of its first TFC interest payment of Rs 7.7bn, along with optimism about the upcoming financial results from the cement sector, driven by improved monthly performance. Key contributors to the market’s positive movement included Lucky Cement, Bank Al-Habib, Habib Bank, Hub Power, and Systems Ltd, which collectively added 716 points to the index. On the flip side, Packages Ltd, Engro Holdings, and Pakistan Petroleum lost 134 points.
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Monday, August 04 2025

Equities hit all-time high on economic optimism
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rallied to a historic high this week as investor sentiment turned bullish on the back of a newly signed trade agreement with the United States, better-than-expected fiscal performance, and a resilient corporate earnings season. The benchmark KSE-100 index gained 1.3 per cent week-on-week, closing at a record 141,035 points, up 1,828 points from the previous week. The rally, according to market analysts, reflects renewed confidence in Pakistan’s macroeconomic trajectory, driven by external engagement, monetary stability, and positive corporate earnings outlook. Topline Securities reported that the market remained largely range-bound at the start of the week as investors awaited June-quarter results. However, news of the US-Pakistan trade agreement later in the week boosted investor interest, particularly in export-led and energy-related stocks.
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Friday, August 01 2025

Stocks rally on euphoria over US trade deal
A trade agreement with the United States helped keep Pakistan stocks in bullish territory on Thursday, despite the central bank’s unexpected decision to maintain the policy rate. Investor confidence surged, driving the benchmark KSE-100 index back above the 139,000-mark on the back of value-hunting and strong macroeconomic cues. Topline Securities Ltd reported that the bulls dominated July, with the KSE-100 index rising 11pc month-on-month to a record close of 139,390 points. The rally was underpinned by the federal cabinet’s approval of Pakistan’s largest-ever financial restructuring plan, aimed at retiring Rs1.275tr in circular debt over six years. The State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to maintain interest rates further bolstered investor sentiment. Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, noted that the market experienced sharp swings following the SBP’s status quo policy stance. The index climbed to an intraday high of 140,215 points — up 1,802 points or 1.30pc — before retreating to a low of 139,084 points. It ultimately settled at 139,390, posting a net gain of 978 points or 0.71pc.
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Thursday, July 31 2025

PSX ends higher despite policy rate surprise
The KSE-100 index closed higher by 447.43 points, or 0.32 per cent, at 138,412.25 on Wednesday, following a volatile session driven by speculation over the central bank’s monetary policy decision. The index fluctuated between an intraday high of 139,018.88 and a low of 137,658.81. Early trading witnessed selling pressure from leveraged investors amid uncertainty over a potential interest rate cut. However, sentiment shifted after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) surprised the market by keeping the policy rate unchanged at 11pc in its latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting — contrary to market expectations of a 50-100 basis point reduction. The announcement triggered renewed interest in the banking sector, with heavyweight stocks such as United Bank, Habib Bank, and Systems Ltd contributing a combined 481 points to the index.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

Wednesday, July 30 2025

Stocks flat as profit-taking erodes early gains
The Paki­stan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened the week on a bullish note, briefly crossing the 140,000-point mark, but failed to sustain mom­entum due to profit-taking. The benchmark KSE-100 index closed marginally higher at 139,380.06, gaining 172.77 points or 0.12 per cent on Monday. Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said another attempt by the PSX to break past the 140,000 psychological barrier on a closing basis went in vain. The session began on a strong note, with the index hitting an intraday high of 140,149 — up 942 points or 0.68pc. However, the rally proved short-lived as selling pressure emerged, pulling the index back below the key threshold. Investor sentiment was buoyed early in the day by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s remarks over the weekend that Pakistan and the United States were “very close” to finalising a trade deal. However, the US side, following Dar’s meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, did not confirm a timeline. If materialised, the agreement could enh­a­nce exports, attract inve­s­tment, and improve market confidence, though any delay may weigh on economic optimism.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges