On Monday, buying interest at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) drove the benchmark KSE-100 Index higher, adding more than 400 points in the early trading session.
At 9:50 a.m., the index stood at 180,006.95, up 435.69 points, or 0.24%.
Purchasing activity was evident across several sectors, such as cement, commercial banking, oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies, power generation, and refining. Notable index constituents—including HUBCO, ARL, MARI, PPL, POL, HBL, NBP, and UBL—closed higher.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange maintained its bullish momentum throughout the shortened three‑day trading week, as easing Middle East geopolitical tensions, investor‑friendly amendments to the FY27 Finance Bill, and reduced domestic fuel prices bolstered confidence among investors.
Weekly market data showed the KSE-100 Index rising 648.50 points, or 0.36%, to close the week at 179,571.27.
Asian markets were mixed on Monday following Iran’s and the United States’ agreement to pause renewed hostilities, which had previously weighed on an interim peace deal and supported oil prices, while the dollar remained strong near a one‑year high amid expectations of rate hikes.
A de‑escalation in the Middle East would follow several days of reciprocal strikes after an Iranian projectile struck a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, with both parties accusing the other of violating the interim ceasefire.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures rose 0.4%, and European futures edged up 0.2%. South Korea’s KOSPI slipped almost 2%, Japan’s Nikkei fell 1%, and MSCI’s broadest Asia‑Pacific index declined 0.4%.
Concerns about the peace deal’s outlook lifted oil prices, which had largely shed the gains from earlier war‑driven spikes as markets swiftly reassessed the likelihood of easing supply constraints.
On Monday, Brent crude futures rose 0.85% to $72.6 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed more than 1% to $70.01 per barrel.
