The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) delivered a landmark performance last week, rewriting market history as the KSE-100 Index crossed the 169,800-point level for the first time ever and closed at a record high. The milestone reflects renewed investor confidence driven by improving macroeconomic indicators and positive developments on the IMF front.
During the week, the benchmark index gained more than 2,700 points, successfully breaking two major psychological barriers at 168,000 and 169,000 points. This strong rally positioned the PSX among the best-performing regional markets.
Market Capitalization Jumps by Rs282 Billion in One Week
The bullish momentum translated into a sharp increase in market value. Over the five trading sessions, market capitalization rose by approximately Rs282 billion, while prices of over 50% of listed shares (50.43%) moved higher.
According to market analysts, the rally was fueled by multiple confidence-boosting factors, including:
• IMF approval of the second review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF)
• Disbursement of a $1.2 billion IMF tranche
• A 9% year-on-year increase in workers’ remittances
These developments encouraged investors to re-enter fundamentally strong and high-growth sectors, pushing the market to unprecedented levels.
Weekly Performance Snapshot of PSX Indices
The trading week remained largely positive, with three bullish sessions and two corrective days.
• On bullish days, the index gained 3,660 points
• On bearish days, it lost 889 points
Index-wise Weekly Closing
• KSE-100 Index:
Rose by 2,779 points, from 167,085 to 169,864 points
• KSE-30 Index:
Gained 898 points, closing at 51,670 points
• KSE All Share Index:
Increased by 1,505 points, closing at 102,725 points
Trading Activity and Market Breadth
During the week, the PSX witnessed strong trading volumes and wide participation:
• Highest index level: 170,697 points
• Lowest index level: 167,386 points
• Maximum weekly turnover:
1.28 billion shares worth Rs55 billion
• Minimum weekly turnover:
873 million shares worth Rs40 billion
A total of 2,411 companies were traded during the week:
• 1,216 stocks advanced
• 1,001 stocks declined
• 194 stocks remained unchanged
Most Active Stocks of the Week
Stocks that dominated trading volumes included:
PTCL, Bannu Woollen Mills, K-Electric, Kohinoor Spinning, WorldCall Telecom, First National Equities, Telecard, TPL Properties, The Searle Company, Fauji Fertilizer, PIA Holding Company, Bank of Punjab, Bank Makramah, Beco Steel, HUM Network, Fauji Foods, Packages Power, TPL Corporation, Sui Southern Gas, Pak International Bulk, Pace Pakistan, and Nishat Chunian Power.
Outlook: Can the PSX Sustain the Momentum?
Market experts believe that continued IMF engagement, stable foreign inflows, and improving external accounts could help sustain the upward trend in the near term. However, they caution that global economic conditions, interest rate expectations, and political stability will remain key variables to watch.
For now, the PSX’s historic rally signals a strong comeback in investor sentiment and reinforces the stock market’s role as a barometer of Pakistan’s improving economic outlook.