Overview

• KSE-100 jumped 1,776 points to close at 157,954, just shy of the 158,000 psychological level.
• Investors pointed to a new Saudi–Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement and a 25 bps US Fed rate cut as key catalysts.
• Blue-chip names including Engro Fertilizers, National Bank of Pakistan, Mari Petroleum, Bank of Punjab, and United Bank Ltd added a combined 734 points.
• Trading volumes climbed to 1.96 billion shares worth Rs56.9 billion, led by Cnergyico with over 213 million shares.
• Policy signals included the SBP holding its key rate at 11% and a T-bill auction raising Rs195 billion as the MPC warned that flood-driven supply shocks could lift inflation and strain the current account.