Stocks surge on budget relief prospects
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The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed the week on a bullish note on Friday, lifted by strong gains in blue-chip oil, banking and fertiliser stocks amid growing optimism about the upcoming federal budget measures. The benchmark KSE-100 index surged over 700 points.
Analysts attributed the rally to investor hopes for pro-growth budgetary announcements, including some relief for oil refineries, real estate and agriculture sectors, along with a proposed 1.5% levy on imports aimed at supporting local industries and stabilising the rupee.
Despite the upbeat close, the benchmark index remained shy of the 120,000 milestone, posting a 0.5% weekly gain.
"Stocks closed bullish, led by blue-chip shares of oil, banking and fertiliser sectors amid hopes for positive federal budget announcements," said Arif Habib Corp Managing Director Ahsan Mehanti.
"Budgetary relief for oil refineries, real estate and agri-sector, a proposed 1.5% tax on imports to support industries and rupee stability played the role of catalysts in bullish close at the PSX," he added.
At the end of trading, the benchmark KSE-100 index recorded a rise of 719.69 points, or 0.60%, settling at 119,691.09.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL) wrote that the PSX closed the week with a 0.5% gain, although the index remained below the 120,000 mark.
On Friday, 58 stocks advanced while 41 declined. Key contributors to the gains included Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC, +2.24%), Meezan Bank (+4.4%) and Hubco (+1.6%) while TPL REIT Fund 1 (-7.63%), Pakistan Petroleum (-1.03%) and Pakistan Oilfields (-1.31%) were the major drags.
Among macro developments, Azerbaijan announced a $2 billion investment package for Pakistan during a trilateral summit with Turkey. Meanwhile, the State Bank purchased $5.9 billion from the currency market since June 2024 to strengthen its foreign exchange reserves.
On the fiscal front, the FBR is proposing higher withholding tax rates for vehicles with engine capacities above 1,300cc in the upcoming budget. In the corporate sector, Pharaon Investment Group's potential divestment of ACPL is drawing interest from competitors including Cherat Cement and Bestway Group, AHL added.
Topline Securities, in its daily review, wrote that continuing its previous day's momentum, the KSE-100 index largely traded in the positive zone and closed at 119,691, up 0.60%.
The top positive contribution to the index came from FFC, Meezan Bank, Hubco, Pakgen Power, Engro Holdings and MCB Bank as they cumulatively contributed 668 points.
Traded value-wise, Attock Refinery (Rs1.66 billion), DG Khan Cement (Rs878 million), Hubco (Rs807 million), FFC (Rs708 million), Meezan Bank (Rs661 million) and Mari Petroleum (Rs607 million) dominated the trading activity, Topline said.
Muhammad Hasan Ather of JS Global said the KSE-100 index extended its bullish momentum, climbing 720 points to close at 119,691. The rally was driven by strong investor sentiment amid declining inflation, current account surplus and Fitch's upgrade of Pakistan's credit rating to "B-".
Robust activity in banking, energy and cement sectors further buoyed the sentiment. With over 1,358 points added in two sessions, the momentum suggests a continued upside, contingent on sustained macroeconomic stability and clarity on political and external financing developments, he said.
Overall trading volumes stood at 580.3 million shares, significantly lower than the previous session's 741.7 million. The total traded value was Rs22.7 billion, down from Rs23.9 billion in the previous session.
A total of 474 companies were traded, out of which 259 stocks closed higher, 161 declined and 54 remained unchanged.
WorldCall Telecom led the volumes chart with 79.7 million shares, losing Rs0.06 to close at Rs1.37. K-Electric followed with 47.7 million shares, losing Rs0.20 to settle at Rs5.32. Cnergyico PK saw trading in 35.8 million shares, gaining Rs0.07 to close at Rs7.86. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs612.5 million, the National Clearing Company reported.
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