PSX extends rebound as earnings, IMF payout hopes lift sentiment

The bourse advanced as the market leaned into an approaching International Monetary Fund (IMF) payout and signs of regional stabilisation, while earnings momentum, rupee stability and rising oil boosted confidence.

"Bullish activity witnessed on strong earnings outlook and imminent receipt of IMF tranche," said Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director and CEO of Arif Habib Commodities.

"Rupee stability and surging global crude oil prices played a catalyst role in bullish activity at PSX," he added.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 162,803.15 points, up 1,171.42 points, or 0.72%, from the previous close of 161,631.73.

During the session, the index climbed to an intraday high of 163,935.02, gaining 2,303.29 points, or 1.43%, and registered a low of 161,892.59, reflecting a gain of 260.86 points, or 0.16%.

The International Monetary Fund’s board is expected to approve a $1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan, with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad telling analysts last week that a board meeting is likely by December to release funds under both the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility.

Separately, Turkiye's Foreign Ministry said Islamabad and Kabul agreed to maintain a ceasefire and to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism after the October 25–30 talks in Istanbul mediated by Turkiye and Qatar.

On the macro front, weekly inflation measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator rose 0.12% in the week to October 30, taking the SPI to 335.53 from 335.14; on a year-on-year basis, the SPI was up 5.05%, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

After a losing streak earlier in the week, the market turned higher on Friday, gaining 4,898.86 points (3.13%) to close at 161,631.73 from 156,732.87. Analysts expect range-bound trade in the near term as investors track IMF timing, earnings releases, and developments on the Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire.