The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rallied strongly on renewed investor optimism after US President Donald Trump hinted at a near-term resolution to the Iran conflict, with gains tracking a broader upswing in global markets.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 155,511.56 points (up 6,768.25 points, or 4.55%) from the previous close of 148,743.31.
The index traded between a high of 157,347.17 (up 8,603.86 points, or 5.78%) and a low of 151,262.76 (up 2,519.45 points, or 1.69%).
Trading was temporarily halted around 12pm after the KSE-30 index remained above the 5% threshold for five consecutive minutes, triggering an automatic market suspension mechanism. It resumed at 1:09pm.
“Remarks by the US President signalling a potential near-term resolution to the ongoing conflict, coupled with a concurrent rally across US equity markets subsequently mirrored in Asian trading sessions, have materially bolstered investor confidence,” said Ahfaz Mustafa, Chief Executive Officer of Ismail Iqbal Securities.
“A scheduled address by the President to the nation this evening is further underpinning sentiment, with markets widely anticipating a constructive announcement. Compressed valuations across risk assets are adding an additional layer of appeal, drawing bargain-hunting investors who are positioning ahead of an expected de-escalation and a consequent normalisation in crude oil prices.”
Trump has said that the US could leave Iran “within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three”, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington could hold direct talks with Iran at some point, signalling a potential diplomatic opening.
Meanwhile, Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Arif Habib Commodities, said: “Stocks staged sharp recovery on Trump affirming US military forces will leave Iran soon, stating that his goal of eliminating the country’s nuclear threat has been achieved.”
“Surging global equities, upbeat data on remittances, FX reserves and pivotal role in securing crude supplies, peace talks to resolve Middle East conflict played a catalyst role in bullish activity at PSX,” he added.
China and Hong Kong stocks joined a global relief rally, and the yuan firmed against the dollar after Trump signalled an end to the Iran war that had roiled markets. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 4% while benchmarks in Seoul also rose.
