PSX extends rally as KSE-100 index gains over 550 points

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its positive trajectory on Friday, with investors maintaining strong buying interest across key sectors

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its positive trajectory on Friday, with investors maintaining strong buying interest across key sectors, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 Index higher during early trading hours.

By 10:50am, the KSE-100 Index had advanced by 557.20 points, reaching 171,732.70 points compared to the previous close of 171,175.50 points. The gain represented an increase of 0.33%, reflecting sustained investor confidence and positive market sentiment.

Market participants remained active in several heavyweight sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement manufacturers, commercial banks, and oil and gas exploration companies. Analysts attributed the bullish trend to improved investor optimism, attractive valuations in select stocks, and expectations of continued economic stability.

The latest gains followed a strong performance in the previous trading session, when the benchmark index rebounded sharply after recent volatility. On Thursday, the KSE-100 Index surged by 984.86 points, or 0.58%, to settle at 171,175.51 points, up from 170,190.64 points recorded a day earlier.

Trading activity also witnessed a notable increase, indicating stronger market participation. According to PSX data, the ready market recorded a volume of 697.17 million shares, significantly higher than the 551.95 million shares traded in the previous session. The total value of traded shares rose to Rs26.14 billion from Rs23.76 billion a day earlier.

The market’s overall capitalization expanded as investor wealth increased alongside rising share prices. Total market capitalization climbed to Rs18.983 trillion, compared to Rs18.864 trillion in the preceding session.

A broad-based rally was observed across the market, with a majority of listed companies ending in positive territory. Of the 492 companies that remained active in the ready market, 316 registered gains, while 128 posted losses and 48 closed unchanged.

Financial experts said the continuation of the bullish momentum reflects improving confidence among investors, who are closely monitoring economic indicators, corporate earnings prospects and policy developments. They noted that sustained institutional and retail participation could help maintain the market’s upward trend in the cominag sessions.