Weekly Market Roundup

May 04, 2025 (MLN): The equity market experienced a choppy ride throughout the week as rising tensions between India and Pakistan casted a shadow over investor confidence.

This uncertainty prompted investors to adopt a risk-off approach which led the KSE-100 index close to the 110,000 level at its lowest point during the week.

However, sentiment improved slightly toward the end of the week, following positive macroeconomic cues. Still, the rebound was not enough to offset earlier losses which led the KSE-100 index ended to lose 1,355.41 points or -1.17% compared to last week’s close of 115,469.34.

Market cap

The KSE-100 market capitalization stood at Rs3.43 trillion, down 1.74% from the previous week’s Rs3.49tr. In USD terms, the market cap was recorded at $12.21 billion, compared to $12.43bn in the prior week.

This week, the index return in USD terms was -1.2%, compared to -1.66% the previous week.

On the economic front, Pakistan's inflation slowed to 0.3% in April 2025, compared to 0.7% in the previous month and 17.3% in April 2024.

The country's trade deficit stood at $3.39 billion in April 2025, reflecting a 55.2% increase compared to March 2025.

On the external front, the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by $8.5 million or 0.08% WoW to $10.21 billion during the week ended on April 25, 2025. 

During the week, the Central Bank sold Market Treasury Bills (MTBs) worth Rs562 billion against the target of Rs400 billion while the maturity amount was Rs698bn.

The positive economic cues helped stabilize investor sentiment, pushing the KSE-100 index’s fiscal year-to-date returns to 45.47%, while CYTD return stood at -0.87%.

Top Index Movers

During the week, Oil & Gas Exploration Companies, Cement, and Pharmaceuticals dragged the index by -473.73, -288.85, and -259.22 points, respectively. On the flip side, Commercial Banks and Technology & Communication added 428.49 and 215.56 points to the index.

Among individual stocks, PPL, FFC, and LUCK lost -293.14, - 199.07, and -196.70, respectively. Conversely, SYS and MEBL added 267.37 and 128.42 points, respectively.

FIPI/LIPI

This week, foreign investors remained net sellers, offloading equities worth $6.78m.

Foreign corporates led the selling spree with purchases worth $6.79m.

On the other hand, local investors were net buying, purchasing equities worth $6.78m.

Other Organizations and Mutual Funds bought securities worth $5.11m and $5.4m, respectively, while Individuals sold securities worth $7.23m.

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