The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained unstoppable on Wednesday as the KSE-100 index surged past 145,000 points, marking a new milestone in its record-shattering drive. The momentum was largely driven by banks and optimism about a positive outcome of the recent Pakistan-US trade agreement.
KTrade Securities analyst Ahmed Sheraz commented that the stock market continued its bullish streak, with the KSE-100 index gaining 2,051 points (+1.43%) day-on-day to close at a new all-time high of 145,088. Banks remained the key driver of the rally.
The surge was mainly fuelled by the Pakistan-US trade agreement, signalling potential foreign investment. Additionally, the possibility of new US tariffs on India, as announced by President Trump, also boosted interest in Pakistan’s export-oriented companies, he said.
Top gainers included Habib Bank, National Bank, United Bank, Meezan Bank, Engro Fertilisers and Engro Holdings. He expected the bullish trend to continue owing to the strong momentum and investor optimism.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL) wrote in its report that the KSE-100 index extended its rally with another highly positive session, gaining 1.4% to hit the weekly target of 145,000.
Some 62 stocks advanced while 37 fell with major contributions coming from Habib Bank (+9.71%), National Bank (+9.83%) and United Bank (+1.83%). On the flip side, Fauji Fertiliser (-1.04%), Lucky Core Industries (-2.24%) and Pakgen Power (-1.63%) emerged as the biggest drags, it said.
Among corporate results, MCB Bank posted 2QCY25 earnings per share (EPS) of Rs12.3, reflecting a 13% year-on-year (YoY) decline, bringing 1HCY25 EPS to Rs24.67 (-16% YoY). The bank announced a cash dividend of Rs9 per share, taking the total 1HCY25 dividend to Rs18/share.
Fauji Fertiliser, in its analyst briefing, announced that the company was working towards achieving Shariah-compliant status by the end of CY25, with certain requirements still pending and progress would be reflected in Q2 accounts. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s textile exports recorded an impressive growth of 33.7% YoY to $1.69 billion in the first month of FY26.
With the weekly objective now met, market momentum remains strong. However, further upside may come as a surprise, while near-term support is seen in the 142,000-143,000 range, AHL noted.
Topline Securities remarked that the equity market sustained its bullish charge on Wednesday, with the KSE-100 index scaling a fresh intra-day high of 2,150 points, before settling at 145,088, a solid gain of 2,051 points (+1.43%).
Banking stocks remained the star performers as Habib Bank, National Bank, Meezan Bank and United Bank collectively contributed 1,017 points. HBL and NBP hit their upper circuits during intra-day trade, although mild profit-taking towards the close trimmed some gains, it said.
Investor participation remained robust, with traded volumes climbing to 788 million shares and traded value rising to Rs52.8 billion, both marking a notable increase from previous sessions, added Topline.
Overall, shares of 484 companies were traded. Of these, 264 stocks closed higher, 192 dropped and 28 remained unchanged. The Bank of Punjab was the volume leader with trading in 67.6 million shares, gaining Rs0.41 to close at Rs14.24.
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