Karachi, April 19, 2025 – The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) wrapped up the final trading session of the week on a positive trajectory, as encouraging macroeconomic indicators and strong corporate earnings drove investor sentiment higher. The benchmark KSE-100 index posted a gain of 414.45 points, or 0.35%, ending the day at 117,315.58.
Throughout most of Friday’s trading session, the index remained in the green, signaling sustained investor confidence. While early morning activity saw some negative movement, with the index touching an intraday low of 116,759.07, renewed investor interest soon followed. The market climbed to an intraday high of 117,888.13 before settling back slightly due to end-of-day profit-taking.
Market analysts from Topline Securities attributed the bullish momentum primarily to two key economic factors: a record-high monthly current account surplus and favorable adjustments in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER), both of which bolstered confidence in Pakistan’s economic outlook.
According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country recorded a current account surplus of $1.195 billion in March 2025, compared to a surplus of $363 million in March 2024. This surge in the surplus is being seen as a pivotal development, especially in the context of ongoing economic reforms and efforts to stabilize external accounts.
Heavyweight stocks played a significant role in supporting the index. The most notable contributions came from United Bank Limited (UBL), Lucky Cement Limited, Sazgar Engineering Works Limited, Meezan Bank Limited, and Systems Limited. Collectively, these five companies added 913 points to the index, a sizable push that overshadowed minor corrections in other segments.
In terms of traded value, Sazgar Engineering led the session with transactions worth Rs2.41 billion, followed closely by Pakistan State Oil (Rs2.26bn), Mari Petroleum (Rs1.77bn), UBL (Rs1.74bn), and Lucky Cement (Rs1.72bn).
UBL stood out with a strong performance, closing 9.57% higher on the back of its exceptional quarterly earnings. The bank announced a record diluted earnings per share (EPS) of Rs28.9 for Q1 2025, representing a 126% year-on-year increase. This significant earnings growth reaffirmed investor confidence in the banking sector’s stability and resilience.
The total traded volume for the day was 422 million shares, while the total traded value stood at Rs34.4 billion, reflecting heightened activity across various sectors.
On a weekly basis, the PSX bounced back after a turbulent performance the previous week, which had been affected by uncertainties stemming from a tariff war. According to analysts at Insight Securities, this week’s positive reversal is a testament to market resilience and the influence of strong economic data.
As the PSX heads into a new trading week, investors will be watching closely for further macroeconomic cues and corporate earnings announcements. For now, the market has regained some lost ground and closed out the week on an optimistic note, supported by a mix of economic improvements and corporate strength.