PSX crosses 150,000 points in a historic first

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged to fresh record highs on Tuesday as strong institutional buying in banking and cement stocks fuelled a rally that lifted the benchmark KSE-100 Index to an all-time close of 149,771 points.

The index soared as much as 2,127 points during intraday trading, briefly crossing the 150,000 mark, before settling with a net gain of 1,572 points, or 1.06 per cent. This was the highest-ever closing level for the index, continuing the bullish momentum of recent sessions.

According to Advisor to Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad, it took the KSE-100 Index 26 years (1991–2017) to reach the first 50,000 points, eight years (2017–2024) to cross the second 50,000, and just 10 months (Nov 2024–Aug 2025) to climb the final leg to 150,000.

Pakistan Stock Exchange Makes New History – Reaches 150,000 Points Mark

Here is how long KSE-100 index took to reach 150,000 landmark:

– First 50,000 took 26 years (1991-2017)
– Second 50,000 took 8 years (2017-2024)
– Third 50,000 took just 10 Months (Nov 2024-Aug 2025)

Let… pic.twitter.com/hdH93jJF6K

— Khurram Schehzad (@kschehzad) August 19, 2025

Analysts attributed the surge to upbeat economic signals, including higher cement dispatches, stability in the rupee, and fresh optimism around exports.

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Investor confidence was further buoyed by government plans to reduce circular debt by Rs2.6 trillion and robust economic growth forecasts by global rating agencies.

“Stocks closed at an all-time high as investors weighed Fitch and Moody’s robust economic outlook. Fitch projects growth at 3.5 per cent for FY27,” said Ahsan Mehanti, CEO of Arif Habib Commodities.

According to Topline Securities, cement sales in August are showing strong traction, with earnings likely to surpass expectations.

Ismail Iqbal Securities noted that improved liquidity helped sustain the market’s upward momentum, with heavyweights BAHL, UBL, LUCK, MEBL, and ENGRO contributing over 1,300 points to the index’s rise.

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Commercial banks, cement, and pharmaceuticals emerged as the top-performing sectors, collectively adding 1,630 points.

Market participation also remained vibrant, with total trading volume climbing to 806 million shares and turnover reaching Rs48.3 billion. WTL led the volume chart with 52 million shares changing hands.

Khurram Shehzad believes the PSX’s record close reflects a mix of improving investor sentiment, institutional inflows, and confidence in the broader economic outlook, despite lingering challenges on the fiscal and external fronts.

“Pakistan’s rising global credibility and recognitions, home-grown structural reforms agenda, with positive macroeconomic outlook turning into strong investor confidence,” he wrote on his official X account.

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