Cut in SBP’s policy rate lifts PSX record high 

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) maintained its bullish momentum as a cut in policy rate, and petroleum has boosted investor confidence, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel on Tuesday.
During early trading, the KSE-100 index has gained 1071.74 points to climb to 171,813.08 points, reflecting a positive change of 0.62 percent.
Out of 560 active companies share prices of 274 were advanced, 133 declined, while 153 remained unchanged.
A day earlier, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced a cut of 50 basis points in the policy interest rate as part of its latest monetary policy decision.
According to the monetary policy statement issued by the central bank, the new policy rate has been set at 10.50 percent.
Economic analysts had widely expected the interest rate to remain unchanged at 11 percent; however, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) took an unexpected decision to reduce the rate by 50 basis points.
It is noteworthy that earlier in May 2025, the State Bank had reduced the policy rate by 100 basis points, after which the interest rate had been maintained at 11 percent for several consecutive policy periods.
Furthermore, the government has announced revised prices of petroleum products, offering relief to consumers by reducing the price of high-speed diesel, while keeping petrol prices unchanged.
Earlier on Monday, the benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed bullish momentum, gaining 876.82 points, a positive change of 0.52 percent, to close at 170,741.35 points.
During the session, the ready market witnessed a trading volume of 905.685 million shares with a traded value of Rs47.718 billion, against 873.031 million shares valuing Rs40.870 billion in the previous session. Market capitalization increased to Rs19.405 trillion from Rs19.321 trillion a day earlier.
Out of 486 active companies in the ready market, 239 advanced, 202 declined, while 45 remained unchanged.
Pak International Bulk Terminal topped the volume chart with 123.267 million shares, followed by Hum Network with 39.670 million shares and Fast Cables Limited with 36.328 million shares.
The top gainers included Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which rose by Rs136.83 to close at Rs29,000.00, and Hoechst Pakistan Limited, increasing by Rs97.38 to settle at Rs4,808.99. On the losing side, PIA Holding Company Limited-B declined by Rs100.00 to close at Rs24,096.00, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited fell by Rs77.15 to close at Rs1,895.36.