KSE-100 gains over 500 points in intra-day trade

After a brief selling pressure observed in the opening minutes, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) traded firmly in positive territory on Monday, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index extended its upward momentum amid improved investor sentiment. At 12:20pm, the benchmark index was hovering at 171,919.37, a gain of 514.89 points or 0.3%. Buying interest was observed in key sectors, including fertiliser, oil and gas exploration companies, OMCs and power generation. Index-heavy stocks, including MARI, OGDC, POL, PPL, HUBCO, HASCOL and EFERT, traded in the green. During the previous week, Pakistan’s equity market extended its upward trajectory with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing at 171,404 points, up 0.91% week-on-week, as a surprise policy rate cut, improving external buffers, and sustained strength in banking stocks helped offset softer trading volumes and selective profit-taking.