The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) started the week on a strong note, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surging by 982.77 points, or 0.86 percent, to close at 114,230 points on Monday. The buying momentum reflected growing investor confidence as trading activity picked up across the board.

Trading volume increased to 521.2 million shares, compared to 499.8 million shares on the previous trading day, while the value of traded shares rose to Rs. 28.29 billion from Rs. 24.82 billion. A total of 448 companies participated in the trading session, with 279 recording gains, 116 posting losses, and 53 remaining unchanged.

Market analysts attributed the positive sentiment to expectations surrounding the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. Brokerage house Intermarket Securities noted earlier in the day that the market is anticipating a 100 basis point cut in the policy rate, bringing it down to 12 percent, which could mark the conclusion of the current easing cycle. Additionally, the start of the corporate results season is expected to boost investor sentiment, particularly with strong payouts anticipated from the banking sector, though results from cyclical sectors may remain underwhelming.

Speaking on Bloomberg’s The Asia Trade program, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s progress toward economic stabilization. He stated that the government is now focusing on sustainable growth and is preparing to issue Yuan-denominated bonds this year to strengthen the country’s finances. The minister also expressed optimism about meeting the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) bailout conditions, which are critical for continued economic recovery.