KSE-100 Hits Record High at 162,257, Gains 2,977 Points Amid Broad-Based Buying

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a historic rally today as the KSE-100 Index surged 2,977 points, closing at an all-time high of 162,257. The market sustained strong momentum throughout the session, driven by aggressive buying in heavyweight sectors.

Intraday Performance

The index touched an intraday high of 162,422 and a low of 159,902, reflecting the market’s resilience against brief bouts of profit-taking. Overall, the session remained dominated by bullish sentiment, as investors capitalized on robust earnings expectations and improving macro indicators.

Trading Activity

• Total Traded Volume: 562.2 million shares
• Total Value: PKR 51.7 billion
• Volume Leaders:
• K-Electric (KEL) – 406 million shares
• Cnergyico (CNERGY) – 207 million shares

This surge in volumes underlines renewed investor confidence, particularly among retail participants and institutions targeting fundamentally strong counters.

Key Contributors to Gains

Heavyweights were the primary drivers of today’s rally:

• Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC): +2.6% (+328 points)
• United Bank Limited (UBL): +3.0% (+322 points)
• Engro Corporation Holdings (ENGROH): +3.7% (+295 points)
• Habib Bank Limited (HBL): +5.0% (+254 points)
• Mari Petroleum (MARI): +3.9% (+224 points)

The dominance of banking, fertilizer, and energy stocks reflects the market’s tilt toward high-dividend and growth-oriented sectors.

Sector-Wise Performance

• Positive Momentum: Cements, E&Ps, Banks, Fertilizers, Refineries
• Profit-Taking Seen: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)

The cement sector benefited from expectations of higher infrastructure demand, while refineries and E&Ps attracted interest amid global energy market dynamics.

Market Outlook

The KSE-100’s successful breach of the 162,000 psychological barrier highlights growing optimism, with institutional flows and retail participation keeping the uptrend intact. While short-term volatility and intermittent profit-taking cannot be ruled out, the broader trajectory points toward sustained gains.

Market analysts suggest investors remain focused on E&Ps, OMCs, Fertilizers, and Banks, sectors offering attractive dividend yields alongside long-term growth potential.