The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) kicked off the week with a powerful rally on Monday, as the KSE-100 index surged over 1,500 points to close at 116,390.04.
Fueled by record-breaking remittances of $4.1 billion in March 2025, a bullish global market, and the government’s decision to avoid retaliatory U.S. tariffs, investor confidence drove a 1.34% gain. This rebound follows a 3.3% drop last week, signalling renewed optimism during the corporate earnings season.
Several factors powered the PSX rally:
- Record Remittances: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported $4.1 billion in remittances for March, a 37% jump, boosting economic sentiment.
- Global Markets: A bull run in international equities and rising crude oil prices encouraged local investors.
- Tariff Relief: The government’s choice to sidestep U.S. tariff retaliation, plus U.S. exemptions for electronics, lifted market spirits.
Topline Securities noted that the rally saw an intra-day peak of 1,640 points, with broad-based buying across sectors.
Heavyweight stocks led the charge, with United Bank Limited (UBL, +7%), Lucky Cement (+5.41%), and Hub Power (+4.33%) adding 1,178 points to the index. Other contributors included Engro Holdings and Engro Fertilisers. However, some stocks lagged, like Mari Petroleum (-2.05%) and MCB Bank (-0.87%), per Arif Habib Limited (AHL). Overall, 247 stocks rose, 145 fell, and 63 stayed unchanged.
Trading volumes climbed to 484.5 million shares, up from Friday’s 458.6 million, with a traded value of Rs27.4 billion. Cnergyico PK led with 55.1 million shares traded, closing at Rs8.64 (+Rs0.23). Pakistan International Bulk Terminal and Sui Southern Gas Company followed. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs633 million, reported the National Clearing Company.
Read: PSX Surges Over 3,300 Points Following US Tariff Pause Announcement
SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, speaking at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), emphasized that manageable debt obligations for the fiscal year 2025 stand at $10 billion, following $16 billion in rollovers. Gains in the market were driven by banking and energy stocks, including Hub Power and OGDC, as positive global sentiment and tariff exemptions contributed to the rise. AHL noted that the 117,600-118,600 range is a crucial level to monitor to determine whether the rally will continue.
