PSX Kicks Off Week with a Record High

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) commenced the week on a positive note as the KSE-100 Index skyrocketed 2,105.29 points (1.89%) to reach an intraday high of 113,456.46.

This surge was fueled by investor optimism regarding Pakistan’s economic recovery, easing geopolitical tensions, and favorable monetary policies. Key contributors included the federal government’s new income tax ordinance, which revised bank profit calculations and increased the tax rate from 39% to 44%, potentially generating Rs70-75 billion by December.

Despite net foreign selling of $6.8 million, primarily from the banking sector, local investors and domestic banks/DFIs counterbalanced the pressure, sustaining the market’s bullish momentum.

Additionally, the government’s successful auction of Treasury Bills (T-bills), which raised Rs913 billion, and a current account surplus of $729 million in November—the highest in a decade—bolstered investor confidence. With a 78% return, the KSE-100 Index ranks as the second-best performing stock market globally, setting the tone for continued growth in 2025.