Optimism returns as stocks rally by 600 points

Published
0
— PSX data portal
— PSX data portal

After a week of uncertainty, bulls once again showed their horns on the trading floor of the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday.

According to the PSX website, the benchmark index closed at 66,130.02 points, up by 1.04 per cent or 679.84 from the previous close of 65,450.18 points.

On Wednesday, stocks tumbled by 1,147 points as fertiliser, technology, banking and exploration and production sectors received considerable selling headwinds.

The market recovered today after shares of Treet Battery Ltd began trading following the bifurcation of the battery division of First Treet Manufacturing Modaraba (FTMM) through a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement.

Yousuf M. Farooq, director of research at Chase Securities, said the stock market was simply “rerating upwards”.

He attributed the upward momentum of the index to a more balanced current account — which has reduced fears of currency devaluation — in addition to cheap valuations, that led to continued foreign interest.

Farooq further highlighted the positive aspects of growth in exports, agriculture, and fiscal prudence by the government in the first quarter of the year.

He explained that over the past 5 years, earnings for most sectors kept growing — at least in rupee terms — while stock prices continued to rerate downwards on the expectation that earnings would drop.

“But earnings never dropped and we were left with a very cheap market with solid earnings,” Farooq added.

Shahbaz Ashraf, chief investment officer at FRIM Ventures, attributed the rally to the equity market trading at cheap valuations, in addition to excessive liquidity being available.

Moreover, he highlighted that the general consensus showed that the economy was set to recover in the following months, noting that the market had once again gained 1.2pc.

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing bond markets
Updated 01 Oct, 2026

Fixing bond markets

Pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, retail investors, and eventually, foreign investors must become bigger participants in the market.
Call centre rackets
01 Oct, 2026

Call centre rackets

A NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent ...
Homeward bound
01 Oct, 2026

Homeward bound

FIVE months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a 19-member multinational crew, Somali maritime...
Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...