KSE-100 Surges 1,274 Points, Closes Near Record Levels at 148,618

August 29, 2025 :

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a strong rally on Friday, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed 1,274 points to close at 148,618, sustaining its upward trajectory and edging closer to the historic 150,000 level.

The index touched an intraday high of 149,235 and a low of 147,488, as investors maintained strong buying interest throughout the session. Trading activity remained buoyant, with 624.6 million shares traded and a total market turnover of PKR 38 billion, reflecting renewed confidence in equities.

Key Index Movers

Major support to the index came from heavyweight stocks:

·        Habib Bank Limited (HBL): +3.1% (153 points)

·        D.G. Khan Cement (DGKC): +10% (139 points)

·        Lucky Cement (LUCK): +2.2% (135 points)

·        Fauji Cement (FCCL): +8.4% (124 points)

·        Systems Limited (SYS): +2.7% (117 points)

On the volumes front, Bank of Punjab (BOP) led with 128.8 million shares, followed by Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBTL) with 122.2 million shares.

Sector-Wise Performance

·        Cement: Strong buying fueled by upbeat provisional dispatch numbers drove sharp gains across cement stocks.

·        Banking: Heavyweights like HBL supported the index amid renewed investor optimism.

·        E&P & OMCs: These sectors remained in the limelight on expectations of stable oil prices and solid dividend outlook.

·        Fertilizers: Sentiment was mixed, with selective accumulation seen in dividend-yielding names.

Outlook

Analysts note that the market’s bullish momentum is backed by sector-specific catalysts and a broader recovery in investor sentiment. However, as the index hovers near all-time highs, intermittent volatility cannot be ruled out.

Market participants are advised to focus on fundamentally strong sectors — particularly Exploration & Production (E&Ps), Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Fertilizers, and Banks — which continue to offer attractive dividend yields and long-term growth potential.