PSX surges over 1,300 points as $2 billion Saudi inflows boost sentiment

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its rally on Thursday, driven by improved liquidity sentiment after the State Bank of Pakistan received $2 billion from Saudi Arabia, with the benchmark KSE-100 index gaining more than 1,300 points. 

According to the PSX website, the market opened with strong momentum, with the benchmark KSE-100 climbing to an intraday high of 170,899.16, gaining over 2,300 points, within the first few minutes of trading.

Gains were broad-based, with buying activity observed across key sectors including oil and gas marketing companies, automobile assemblers, auto parts and accessories, cement, exchange-traded funds, pharmaceuticals, real estate investment trusts, and refineries.

The market ended the session at 169,911.95, up by 1392.01 points, or 0.83% from the previous close. 

Today’s rally came after the State Bank of Pakistan confirmed receipt of $2 billion from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Ministry of Finance.

Read This: Pakistan receives $2 billion from Saudi Arabia to support reserves

Saudi Arabia has committed a total of $3 billion in additional deposits, with the remaining amount expected in the coming days.

On the economic front, Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $1.07 billion in March 2026, compared to a surplus of $1.27 billion in March 2025 and $231 million in February 2026, according to data compiled by Arif Habib Limited based on State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) figures.

On a cumulative basis, the country posted a marginal current account surplus of $8 million during the first nine months of FY2026, sharply lower than the $1.67 billion surplus recorded in the same period last year.

Adding to sentiment, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva acknowledged Pakistan’s progress on economic reforms during a meeting with the finance minister on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings.

In a statement shared on social media, she said strong implementation of the reform programme has supported macroeconomic stability and improved investor confidence, while noting that continued sound policies and structural reforms are essential for sustaining growth.

On Wednesday, the KSE-100 index closed at 168,519.94 points after gaining 2,885.10 points or 1.74%.

Global markets also showed upward momentum, with Asian equities rising amid expectations of progress on tensions involving Iran and as investors awaited key economic data and earnings reports.

MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.3%, marking a third consecutive day of gains, while Japan’s Nikkei increased by 1.5%. S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1%.

In the United States, the S&P 500 gained 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.6%, supported by earnings from major banks including Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, with 84% of reporting companies exceeding expectations so far.

Oil prices fell in early trade on Thursday as hopes for easing U.S.-Iran tensions, following reports that Iran could allow ships to pass through around ​the Strait of Hormuz, outweighed concerns over ongoing supply disruptions.

Brent crude futures dropped ‌44 cents, or 0.5%, to $94.49 a barrel at 0021 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures was down 70 cents, or 0.8%, at $90.59 a barrel. Both benchmarks settled little changed on Wednesday.