PSX Closing Bell: Riding High Again

August 18, 2025 (MLN): The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Monday's trading session at 148,196.42, showing an increase of 1,704.79 points or 1.16%.

The index traded in a range of 1,992.07 points showing an intraday high of 148,395.71 (+1,904.08) and a low of 146,403.64 (-87.99) points.

The rally was fueled by Fitch’s latest outlook on Pakistan’s banking sector, highlighting improving macro conditions, ongoing reforms, and stronger capital buffers as key positive, Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd told Mettis Global.

Fitch expects lower interest rates, better credit growth potential, and reduced reliance on public-sector lending to benefit banks. However, it also flagged risks tied to sovereign health, inflationary pressures, and dependence on state-linked exposures, he added.

Progress on circular debt resolution may sustain bullish momentum, though consolidation or a mild correction is possible. Support now lies at 147,000 and 146,000, with 150,000 as the key resistance for now.

The total volume of the KSE-100 Index was 229.07 million shares.

Of the 100 index companies 72 closed up, 27 closed down, while 1 were unchanged.

Top gainers during the day were GADT (+9.68%), NPL (+8.20%), DCR (+8.03%), MUREB (+7.95%), and SCBPL (+7.54%).

On the other hand, top losers were YOUW (-5.48%), NESTLE (-2.99%), PGLC (-2.11%), PKGP (-1.84%), and HUMNL (-1.74%).

In terms of index-point contributions, companies that propped up the index were MEBL (+251.25pts), LUCK (+246.40pts), BAHL (+185.14pts), UBL (+99.28pts), and PPL (+91.32pts).

Meanwhile, companies that dragged the index lower were HBL (-64.88pts), MCB (-35.69pts), SYS (-22.12pts), NESTLE (-19.75pts), and PSO (-14.83pts).

Sector-wise, KSE-100 Index was supported by Commercial Banks (+637.47pts), Cement (+464.24pts), Oil & Gas Exploration Companies (+159.73pts), Fertilizer (+102.33pts), and Pharmaceuticals (+69.89pts).

While the index was let down by Chemical (-7.79pts), Technology & Communication (-7.07pts), Sugar & Allied Industries (-3.82pts), Miscellaneous (-3.37pts), and Oil & Gas Marketing Companies (-3.12pts).

In the broader market, the All-Share Index closed at 91,470.88 with a net gain of 934.55 points or 1.03%.

Total market volume was 610.31 million shares compared to 473.60m from the previous session while traded value was recorded at Rs39.17 billion showing an increase of Rs6.29bn.

There were 363,412 trades reported in 487 companies with 283 closing up, 175 closing down, and 29 remaining unchanged.

To note, the KSE-100 has gained 22,569 points or 17.97% during the fiscal year, whereas it has increased 33,070 points or 28.72% so far this calendar year.

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