KSE-100 Index Nears 150,000 as Positive Momentum Drives Market Gains

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a strong buying spree on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surging to an intra-day high of 150,066.00 before closing at 149,971.12. The index gained 1,353.35 points, or 0.91%, as positive sentiment dominated the trading session. This marked a significant recovery, bringing the index closer to the psychological 150,000 level. A total of 67 stocks advanced during the session, with key contributors to the gains including Lucky Cement (LUCK PA), which rose 4.24%, Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC PA), up 2.27%, and Fauji Cement Company Limited (FCCL PA), which surged 7.39%. On the other hand, Packages Limited (PKGP PA) and Systems Limited (SYS PA) were among the biggest drags, declining by 6.33% and 1.77%, respectively. The KSE-100 Index has now delivered a month-to-date (MTD) return of 10.58% and a year-to-date (CY25TD) return of 34.84%, reflecting the market’s strong performance in recent months. Among the top gainers, Bank of Punjab (BOP) rose 10.0%, while Pak Elektron Limited (PAEL) gained 9.5%. Conversely, Packages Limited (PKGP) and Aisha Steel Mills (AGL) were the top losers, falling 6.3% and 6.2%, respectively. In a key fiscal development, Advisor to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad announced on Sunday that Pakistan has retired Rs2,600 billion of debt ahead of schedule, a first in the country’s history. This includes Rs. 1.6 trillion owed to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), which was retired in just 59 days. The announcement, described as a record achievement for fiscal responsibility, has significantly boosted investor confidence. Adding to the positive sentiment, Pakistan’s headline inflation for August 2025 eased to 3% year-on-year (YoY), down from 4.1% in July, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The decline in inflation, coupled with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) announcement of funding for emergency relief efforts, has further lifted market optimism.