The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its bullish run for a third straight session on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining 505.48 points, or 0.34%, to close at 147,510.80 against the previous 147,005.32.
Market optimism was fueled by expectations of economic stability, improved corporate earnings, a recent trade agreement with the US, and rising remittances from overseas Pakistanis.
Trading activity surged, with 691.6 million shares changing hands—up from 611.2 million in the previous session—while the total value of shares traded increased to Rs 44.55 billion from Rs 44.00 billion. Out of 482 active companies, 208 posted gains, 242 saw declines, and 32 remained unchanged.
Investor sentiment also received a boost from Gallup Pakistan’s latest Business Confidence Survey for Q2 2025, which showed optimism at its highest level in nearly four years. Conducted between July 23 and 27 across 524 businesses, the survey revealed a sharp improvement in perceptions about the country’s direction, with Gallup’s “Direction of the Country Score” climbing to -2% from far more negative readings in late 2024.
The findings suggest a growing number of business leaders believe Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government is handling the economy better than the previous administration, despite persistent challenges like inflation, high energy costs, and load-shedding.
