PSX kicks off on bullish note as KSE-100 touches all-time high

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) kicked off the new week on a strong note on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index surging by over 1,100 points in early trading. However, the rally lost some steam as the session progressed.

At around 9:33 AM, the KSE-100 index was seen soaring by 1,139.25 points to touch record high of 142,174.23, supported by early buying interest across key sectors. Trading volume at that point stood at 7.98 million shares, indicating a robust start to the session.

By 9:54 AM, the index had trimmed some of those gains but remained firmly in the green, standing at 141,975.64 after rising by 940.66 points, or 0.67 percent. The day’s trading range so far was between a low of 141,607.00 and a high of 142,174.23.

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The volume had increased significantly by then, reaching over 68.19 million shares, with a total traded value of more than Rs8.4 billion.

The current levels exhibit a notable turnaround from the market’s previous close of 141,034.98, as investor confidence continues to grow amid improving economic signals and expectations of stability in upcoming months. On a broader scale, the KSE-100 has delivered an impressive one-year gain of 81.49 percent, with a year-to-date increase of 23.32 percent.

Top gainers

Among the day’s top-performing stocks were names like Grays Leasing (GRYL), which jumped by 10.26 percent, and Bank Al-Falah Securities (BAFS), which gained 10 percent despite low volume. Other notable advancers included J.K. Spinning Mills (JKSM), Arif Habib Textiles (AHTM), and Saritow Spinning (SASML), all climbing by the maximum allowed 10 percent.

Top losers

On the flip side, some stocks saw sharp losses. Engro Polymer and Chemicals Preference Shares (EPCLPS) dropped nearly 10 percent, followed closely by First Standard Wireless (FSWL) and Sitara Mills (STML), both down by around 9.7 percent. Kohinoor Mills (KML) and ICIBL also faced notable declines.

Market sentiment remains largely positive, but traders appear to be watching for cues on political stability and upcoming economic data before making more aggressive moves. With the KSE-100 now trading near its 52-week high of 142,174.24, many analysts expect consolidation or profit-taking to follow in the short term.

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