KEY POINTS
- Index closes at 149,770.74, a gain of 1,574.32 points
- PSX rises to an intraday high of 150,323.38
- PM Shehbaz hails bullish trend at PSX
- Fitch predicts Pakistan’s GDP growth to reach 3.5% by 2027
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its record-breaking streak on Tuesday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index surpassed the 150,000 mark during intraday trading, before closing at a record high amid strong buying across key sectors.
The positive momentum continued throughout the trading session, with the benchmark index reaching an intraday high of 150,323.38.
By the close, the KSE-100 Index had settled at 149,770.74, marking an increase of 1,574.32 points, or 1.06%.
Buying interest was observed in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, commercial banks, cement, and pharmaceuticals.
The KSE-100 benchmark Index crosses 150,000 milestone on intraday basis and currently trading at 150,031+points.#KSE100 #PSX #Equities #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/hiQBeFWYOp
— Arif Habib Limited (@ArifHabibLtd) August 19, 2025
Analysts linked the buying rally to growing market optimism, driven by reports of the government’s forthcoming circular debt reform initiative, which investors believe will help ease liquidity pressures within the energy sector — a persistent challenge for the economy.
On Tuesday, a total of 809,082,439 shares were traded as compared to 610,314,508 shares on the last working day, whereas the price of shares stood at PKR 48.430 billion against PKR 39.173 billion on the previous trading day.
As many as 483 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 265 of them recorded gains and 194 met losses, whereas the share price of 24 companies remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were WorldCall Telecom with 52,322,337 shares at PKR 1.45 per share, Bank of Punjab with 46,060,189 shares at PKR 14.76 per share, and Fauji Cement with 43,732,087 shares at PKR 53.48 per share.
On Monday, the PSX benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 148,196.42 points, up 1,704.79 points, or 1.16%, from the previous close of 146,491.63.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad shared key highlights of the PSX.
“Pakistan’s rising global credibility and recognition, home-grown structural reforms agenda, with positive macroeconomic outlook turning into strong investor confidence,” Advisor to Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad said in a post on X.
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/wWPuNGvQYV
— Khurram Schehzad (@kschehzad) August 19, 2025
PM Shehbaz hails bullish trend at PSX
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the bullish trend in the Pakistan Stock Exchange as the 100 index crossed 150,020 points.
In a statement, he said the confidence of investors and the business community has been restored due to the improvement in the economy.
The Prime Minister said the country is moving towards development, but more work is needed.
He commended the economic team for working day and night and steering the economy out of difficulties.
The Prime Minister commended the business community for reposing trust in government policies and continuing economic activities in the country even in difficult times.
He expressed the confidence that the business growth and increased investment in the country will generate employment opportunities.
Pakistan’s GDP growth to reach 3.5% by 2027: Fitch
In a boost to sentiment, global credit rating agency Fitch projected Pakistan’s real GDP growth to reach 3.5% by 2027, up from 2.5% in 2024, citing improving fiscal performance, reforms, and ongoing recovery.
“Pakistan’s improved sovereign credit profile reinforces this view,” Fitch noted, referring to its upgrade of the country’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B-’/Stable from ‘CCC+’ in April 2025.
The improvement followed Moody’s upgrade of Pakistan’s credit rating by one notch, from ‘Caa2’ to ‘Caa1’, with a ‘stable’ outlook.
