ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at a new all-time high on Monday, extending its upward momentum as heavyweight stocks led broad-based gains, according to a market review by Topline Securities.
The index finished the session at 170,741 points, up 876 points, after remaining in positive territory throughout the day. It touched an intraday high of 171,001 points and a low of 170,292 points, reflecting sustained buying interest and a firm market tone.
“The KSE-100 Index concluded the trading session on a strong note, closing at a new all-time high of 170,741 points, registering a gain of 876 points,” Topline Securities said in its daily market review.
Key index heavyweights Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. (PPL), Systems Ltd. (SYS), Maple Leaf Cement Factory (MLCF), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and United Bank Ltd. (UBL) were the main drivers of the rally, together contributing around 651 points to the index’s advance.
Market activity remained brisk, with total traded volumes reaching 904 million shares, while overall market turnover rose to Rs47 billion ($168 million). Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Ltd. (PIBTL) was the most actively traded stock of the session, with volumes of 123 million shares, the review said.
The sustained rise in equities comes amid improving liquidity conditions and continued investor participation, with market participants focusing on corporate earnings, sector-specific developments and broader macroeconomic signals.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan’s central bank cut its key policy interest rate by 50 basis points to 10.5 percent, a move that surprised analysts and followed four consecutive policy meetings where rates were held unchanged. The cut came despite an International Monetary Fund staff report last week cautioning against premature monetary easing.
Inflation eased to 6.1 percent in November, remaining within the State Bank of Pakistan’s target band, though analysts have warned that price pressures could resurface later in the fiscal year as base effects fade and food and transport costs remain volatile.
