RecordRally Propels PSX Index Higher by 3,353 Points

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its record‑breaking rally on Tuesday, driven by aggressive buying as investors grew more confident in the nation’s economic outlook and as regional geopolitical tensions eased.

The benchmark KSE‑100 index rose 3,353.15 points, or 1.89%, closing at 180,392.98 after reaching an intra‑day high of 180,503.55 and a low of 177,741.47.

Investor sentiment stayed upbeat as market participants responded positively to Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at fostering regional peace and stability. Moreover, softer energy prices alleviated inflationary pressures and enhanced the economic outlook for oil‑importing nations like Pakistan, spurring fresh equity purchases. The rally also mirrored optimism regarding improving external‑sector metrics and the prospect of stronger corporate earnings.

Broad‑based buying was observed across banking, cement, fertilizer, oil & gas, and power‑sector stocks. Analyst Mubashir Anis Naviwala of JS Global noted that investor confidence stayed elevated after the post‑budget rally and easing geopolitical concerns.

KTrade Securities equity trader Ahmed Sheraz reported that the KSE‑100 index added 3,353 points (+1.89%) as strong buying interest persisted throughout the session. The benchmark remained firmly positive, buoyed by widespread participation across key sectors and sustained investor optimism following recent macroeconomic and budget‑related developments.

Trading activity stayed robust, with KSE‑100 volume reaching 611 million shares. The rally was led by heavyweight stocks including United Bank, Engro Holdings, Bank AL Habib, National Bank, Pakistan Petroleum, and Meezan Bank, which together accounted for the bulk of the index gains. Sector‑wise, commercial banks, investment banks, and oil & gas exploration firms were the primary drivers of the market’s advance.

Investor sentiment received a boost after the State Bank kept the policy rate unchanged, as expected. Looking ahead, Sheraz expects investors to remain focused on inflation trends, energy prices, other economic indicators, and the rollout of FY27 budget measures.

Arif Habib Limited (AHL) observed that the KSE‑100 surged past the 180,000 level in another strong session, building on gains after breaching the 175,000 threshold. A total of 81 stocks rose while 19 declined, with UBL (+6.16%), Engro Holdings (+3.58%) and Bank AL Habib (+4.75%) providing the biggest contributions to the index gains. Conversely, DG Khan Cement (-1.75%), Javedan Corp (-2.9%) and Interloop Ltd (-1.27%) were the largest drags.

Meanwhile, Select Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Link Communication (up 5.08%), plans an initial public offering (IPO) to sell 88.9 million ordinary shares at a floor price of Rs28 to Rs42. The IPO size is Rs2.49 billion at the floor price and Rs3.73 billion at the cap price. AHL noted that the index rose 4.64% week‑on‑week, with support at 175,000 and a next target of 190,000.

Overall trading volume jumped to 1.22 billion shares, compared with Monday’s total of 988.1 million. The value of traded shares stood at Rs70.2 billion.

Shares of 497 companies were traded, with 304 stocks rising, 165 falling, and 28 unchanged.

Lotte Chemical emerged as the volume leader, trading 108.1 million shares and edging down Rs0.17 to close at Rs28.52. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs1.2 billion, according to the National Clearing Company.

Source link