Karachi – April 18, 2025: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed in the green on Thursday as investor sentiment was lifted by strong macroeconomic news, including a record current account surplus. The benchmark KSE-100 Index surged by 881.03 points, or 0.76%, to close at 116,901.13, reversing recent losses and signaling renewed optimism in the market.
The index had previously closed at 116,020.11, and despite a volatile start to the trading session, the market gained momentum throughout the day, supported by improved confidence in the country’s external account position. This marks one of the strongest single-day performances in recent weeks.
According to a post-market commentary by Topline Securities, the rally was primarily driven by the announcement of a record current account surplus of $1.2 billion in March 2025, pushing the total surplus for the first nine months of FY25 to $1.9 billion. The data reflects strengthening external balances and is seen by analysts as a major confidence booster for foreign and domestic investors alike.
Trading volume, however, saw a slight dip compared to the previous session. A total of 408.06 million shares were traded on Thursday, down from 481.81 million shares recorded a day earlier. The total value of traded shares also decreased to Rs32.12 billion from Rs38.53 billion in the previous session.
Out of 445 companies that participated in the day’s trading activity, 212 recorded gains, 172 registered losses, while 61 remained unchanged. Despite the slightly lower turnover, the breadth of market gainers suggests broad-based buying activity across sectors.
Sector-specific performance played a pivotal role in sustaining market momentum. The cement sector, in particular, witnessed robust activity following news of a Rs25 per bag increase in cement prices. This price revision boosted investor expectations around improved margins for cement manufacturers, prompting a rally in key stocks within the sector.
Heavyweight stocks such as Maple Leaf Cement Factory (MLCF), United Bank Limited (UBL), Pakistan State Oil (PSO), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), and Mari Petroleum (MARI) were among the top contributors to the index’s gains. These companies collectively added over 500 points to the KSE-100 Index, reflecting strong investor interest in energy, banking, and construction-linked sectors.
Analysts believe that the positive sentiment may persist in the near term if macroeconomic indicators continue to support the outlook. “The market responded positively to the improved external account numbers. If this trend holds, along with sectoral pricing advantages like in cement, we may see continued bullish momentum,” said a market strategist at a Karachi-based brokerage firm.
Despite lingering concerns over political uncertainty and global financial conditions, Thursday’s session highlighted the market’s sensitivity to economic data and its potential to rebound sharply on favorable news.
Looking ahead, traders and investors will be watching upcoming inflation numbers, foreign exchange reserve data, and monetary policy cues for further signals on market direction. While profit-taking is expected in the coming sessions, the overall tone remains cautiously optimistic as the fiscal year progresses.