KSE-100 Extends Record Rally on Foreign Investment Hopes

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) maintained its upward momentum on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index rising by 1,547.05 points, or 1.06 percent, to close at an all-time high of 146,929.84.

The index had ended the previous session at 145,382.80.

Market observers said the rally was driven by optimism over reports that US companies were preparing to invest in Pakistan’s energy sector.

Analysts at Topline Securities added that stronger-than-expected corporate earnings also boosted confidence, helping sustain the bullish tone.

Trading activity picked up as 611 million shares changed hands, compared to 548 million in the previous session.

However, the total value of shares traded slipped slightly to Rs44.004 billion from Rs45.488 billion on Friday.

Out of 479 companies that participated in the session, 242 posted gains, 209 recorded losses, and 28 remained unchanged.

Among the most active stocks, Lotte Chemical led the volume chart with 73 million shares traded at Rs21.80 per share.

Siddiqsons Tin followed with 21 million shares at Rs7.55, while Invest Bank recorded 19 million shares at Rs8.68.

On the gainers’ side, Mari Energies Limited topped the list with a Rs47.52 increase per share, closing at Rs666.05. Thal Limited followed closely with a Rs45.53 rise to Rs500.78.

In contrast, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited registered the sharpest decline, falling by Rs906.49 per share to close at Rs32,100.01.

PIA Holding Company LimitedB saw the second-largest drop, losing Rs536.51 to settle at Rs28,843.15.