On July 25, 2025, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a bullish session, with the KSE-100 Index rising by 515 points, or 0.37%, to close at 139,207. The optimism surrounding a potential 50-basis-point interest rate cut scheduled for July 30, along with the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit rating upgrade to ‘B-’, fueled selective buying in the market.
The KSE-100 reached an intraday high of 140,202 before settling at 139,207, marking its fifth consecutive weekly gain of 610 points (0.44%). AHL’s Deputy Head of Trading, Ali Najib, commented, “Easing inflation and falling oil prices raise hopes for monetary easing.” The upgrade from S&P, which cited engagement with the IMF and improvements in fiscal policies, has boosted Pakistan’s global bond prices, enhancing investor confidence.
Heavyweights like ENGROH, UBL, LUCK, MEBL, and NBP added 492 points, while HBL, ABL, MCB, PSEL, and SRVI subtracted 141 points. The Bank of Punjab led the volumes with 50.2 million shares traded, resulting in a total market turnover of Rs 24.5 billion across 633.3 million shares.
AHL’s survey highlighted expectations of a rate cut, supported by a $2.1 billion FY25 current account surplus and declining oil prices. The State Bank of Pakistan’s July 30 monetary policy announcement will be pivotal. Analysts project the KSE-100 to stay bullish, with 137,000 as a key support level; a drop to 135,000 could spur buying due to attractive valuations.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| KSE-100 Closing | 139,207 |
| Daily Gain | 515 points (0.37%) |
| Weekly Gain | 610 points (0.44%) |
| Intraday High/Low | 140,202 / 138,150 |
| Traded Volume | 633.3 million shares |
| Turnover | Rs24.5 billion |
Data source: Arif Habib Ltd, PSX.
The S&P upgrade and IMF ties signal fiscal stability, complementing initiatives like FBR’s Rs1.02 trillion tax collection. However, tariff uncertainties and earnings season volatility may temper gains. The PSX’s upbeat session reflects economic optimism. Investors await the decision on the rate cut, with the KSE-100 poised for potential growth.
