Wednesday, December 31 2025

PSX maintains record-setting rally
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rallied to another record high on Tuesday and appeared well-positioned for a vibrant performance in 2026, underpinned by improving investor sentiment and ample liquidity. The market began the day's proceedings on a strong footing, swiftly scaling to the intra-day peak of 174,805 in early trading. However, profit-taking triggered a mid-morning correction, which pulled the index down to the intra-day low of 174,121. Subsequently, investor confidence strengthened with the market moving in a narrow band and making a gradual recovery through the afternoon. The rally was primarily supported by stocks of energy and banking sectors, with impressive contribution, while fertiliser and cement shares faced a mild pressure amid profit-taking. The benchmark KSE-100 index closed at a fresh all-time high of 174,472.80, up 576.45 points, or 0.33%.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

KSE-100 crosses 175,000 level in early trade
There was no stopping the bulls at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossing the 175,000 level for the first time in history during the opening minutes of trading on the final session of the year on Wednesday. At 9:55am, the benchmark index was hovering at 175,074.18, an increase of 601.39 points or 0.34%. Buying was observed in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration companies, OMCs and power generation. Index-heavy stocks, including HUBCO, MARI, POL, PPL, OGDC, PSO, HBL, MEBL and MCB, traded in the green.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

OGDC plans partnerships in Libya, Vietnam
Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) is looking to explore hydrocarbon reserves overseas in association with Russian and Turkish energy companies. In this regard, OGDC – Pakistan's largest oil and gas explorer – intends to forge joint ventures with Russian energy giant Gazprom and Turkish Petroleum in Libya and Vietnam in onshore and offshore exploration zones, said sources while talking to The Express Tribune. The company's objective is to boost energy supplies from different countries to help reduce Pakistan's energy import bill. Indian oil and gas explorers too are working as joint-venture partners with different companies in overseas markets, including the United States, to secure energy supplies.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators oilgas-exploration oilgas-marketing psx stock-exchanges
Related symbols: ogdc (news stock)

Asian stocks set for strongest annual jump in eight years on AI bets
Asian stocks drifted on the last trading day of a year that has seen investors brush off much of the tariff-related uncertainty and embrace AI chip stocks, while the dollar’s dismal year has left the euro and sterling standing tall. Precious metals have grabbed much of the spotlight toward the end of the year, with silver’s astonishing rally taking its yearly gains to more than 160% although the metal was 1% lower on Wednesday as traders booked profits. Gold firmed a bit and is on track for a 66% surge in 2025 as the three-year rally shows no signs of stopping. Japanese markets are closed for the rest of the week, and with most markets closed on Thursday for the New Year’s Day holiday, volumes are likely to be thin and moves muted. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.17% lower on Wednesday as investors weighed the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s December meeting that underscored deep divisions among policymakers about US rates.
Related news categories: business misc stock-exchanges

Rs 135 billion PIA bid cleared by Cabinet Committee on Privatization
The Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP) on Tuesday approved the Rs 135 billion bid of the Arif Habib-led consortium for acquiring 75 percent shares of PIA and recommended its approval by the Cabinet. The CCoP met here with Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in the chair. The Secretary, Ministry of Privatisation, provided a detailed briefing on the future course of action of PIACL’s Privatization. The Deputy Prime Minister urged all concerned to take timely action to ensure early finalisation of the privatisation, with the hope and desire that this will lead to PIA regaining its past glory. The meeting was attended by Ministers of Power, Advisors to the PM on Privatisation, Industry and Production; SAPMs Tariq Bajwa and Bilal Kiyani; Federal Secretaries of Cabinet, Privatisation, Defence, Law, Power, and Privatisation Commission, industries, and other senior officers from concerned departments.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges transport
Related symbols: PIAHCLA (news stock)