KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) maintained its bullish trajectory during the week ended April 17, 2026, as improving geopolitical conditions and investor confidence fuelled broad-based buying.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index surged by 4 percent, gaining 6,748 points to settle at 173,939 points by the close of the last trading session, compared to 167,191 points at the start of the week.
The BRIndex100 advanced by 832 points, closing at 19,717 points after opening the week at 18,885 points, with cumulative turnover reaching 4.146 billion shares. Meanwhile, the BRIndex30 posted a strong gain of 4,715 points to end at 71,310 points, up from 66,595 points at the beginning of the week, with total traded volume recorded at 2.84 billion shares.
Analysts said that the uptrend was supported by easing geopolitical tensions, as Pakistan pursued diplomatic engagements to de-escalate regional tensions.
This bullish trend was driven by improving sentiment as news suggested that a peace deal between the US and Iran could be within reach. This optimism followed expectations of a second round of negotiations in Islamabad, where both sides have shown restraint and a willingness to de-escalate tensions.
Average daily traded volume and value during the week stood at 1 billion shares, up by 37 percent WoW, and Rs48 billion, up by 17 percent WoW, respectively. Market capitalization rose to Rs 19.250 trillion, up from Rs 18.473 trillion.
On the external front, Pakistan’s current account posted a surplus of USD1.07 billion in Mar-2026, driven by a seasonal uptick in remittances ahead of Eid and an improved trade balance, taking the cumulative 9MFY26 surplus to USD8 million.
However, the trade deficit widened to USD2.4 billion (+9 percent YoY) in Mar-2026, as exports declined by 8 percent YoY to USD 2.5 billion, while imports edged up by 1 percent YoY to USD5 billion.
Meanwhile, foreign exchange reserves held by SBP declined by USD1.3 billion to USD15.1 billion due to Eurobond repayment. Nonetheless, inflows remained supportive, with Pakistan receiving a USD2 billion deposit from Saudi Arabia and an amount of USD 500 million against the issuance of Eurobonds during the week.
According to Topline, on flows end during the week, individuals and local companies were major buyers as they net purchased equities worth USD 8.4 million and USD 7.4 million as of Friday’s close, whereas banks, foreign corporates, and insurance companies net sold equities worth USD 15.4 million, USD 9.4 million, and USD 5.4 million respectively as of Friday’s close.
Pakistan car sales numbers, as reported by PAMA, came in at 15,531 units (up 40 percent YoY, while down 9 percent MoM and Pakistan’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for Mar-26 came in at USD168 million vs. USD 214 million in Feb-26.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026