PSX jumps 1.3% in terms of institutional support

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) posted strong momentum on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 rose nearly 2,200 points, fueled by strong institutional markets and renewed interest in blue-chip stocks.

The rally, which pushed the index to an intraday high of 2,400, marked a sharp shift from a sluggish pace in recent days and reflected an improving mood despite lingering geopolitical and macroeconomic concerns.

At the close, the KSE-100 gained 2,184.78 points, or 1.34%, to 165,373.31.

“Upward momentum built as local institutions led the charge,” commented Topline Securities. The local stock market moved higher once again, supported by steady buying from local institutions that kept sentiment positive, it said. The benchmark touched an intraday high of 2,422 points, showing steady interest throughout the session. At the close, the market settled at 165,373, gaining 2,185 points. The banking sector stole the limelight with Meezan Bank, HBL, UBL and MCB Bank closing higher, helped by healthy volumes.

In the exploration and production sector, OGDC and PPL were not far behind as both stocks attracted investor interest and closed solidly in the green. Index heavyweights – Meezan Bank, Lucky Cement, PPL, OGDC and Engro – contributed around 942 points to the total gains, Topline added.

Arif Habib Limited (AHL) said the KSE-100 finally broke through the 164,000 mark, gaining 1.34% daily as market sentiment strengthened, with 75 stocks advancing and 21 declining. Major contributors to the rally were Meezan Bank (+4.42%), Lucky Cement (+3.41%) and PPL (+3.47%), while Pioneer Cement (-0.52%) and PTCL (-0.65%) emerged as key pullbacks in the index.

At the macro level, headline inflation for November 2025 is expected to reach 6.2% year-on-year, with average inflation for 5MFY26 forecast at 5%, significantly lower than 7.9% in the corresponding period of the previous year, AHL said.

In positive developments, Pakistan and its partners were on track to achieve financial close within the next two weeks on the Reko Diq copper and gold project by securing $3.5 billion in financing. Additionally, the Sindh government has approved a strategic partnership with China’s ADM Group to set up more than 600 electric vehicle charging stations across the province.

As the market heads into the final session of the week, the benchmark rose 2.02% on a weekly basis, with the 164,000 level now expected to act as an important support for a possible return to the October highs, AHL concluded.

JS Global’s Muhammad Hasan Ather wrote that buying momentum strengthened as the KSE-100 rose 1.3% on strong volumes and broad institutional interest in key sectors. If positive macroeconomic sentiment and liquidity persist, the rally could be extended, supported by reforms, external inflows and strong earnings. However, renewed external or political pressures could bring back volatility, warranting close investor attention, he said.

Total trading volume was recorded at 498.4 million shares compared to the previous session’s tally of 636.4 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs 30.6 billion.

Shares of 484 companies were traded. Of these, 289 stocks closed higher, 152 declined and 43 remained unchanged.

Dost Steels was the volume leader with 48.4 million shares traded, gaining Rs 0.57 to close at Rs 8.49. It was followed by WorldCall Telecom with 36.7 million shares, gaining Rs 0.04 to close at Rs 1.86 and Beco Steel with 25.1 million shares, losing Rs 0.12 to close at Rs6.58.

Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs 1.8 billion, the National Clearing Corporation said.