Business
PSX breaks 150k barrier, hits another record | The Express Tribune

KARACHI:
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) soared past another record on Tuesday, breaking the 150,000 mark for the first time ever during intra-day trading.
Analysts remarked that bullish momentum from previous sessions continued, driven by strong institutional inflows, particularly in banking and cement sectors. Additionally, investor sentiment was bolstered by a positive economic outlook from both Fitch and Moody’s and the government’s attempts to settle the circular debt.
The sustained momentum propelled the KSE-100 index to the intra-day high of 150,323, before it closed at 149,770.75, an increase of 1,574.32 points, or 1.06%.
According to Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corp, stocks closed at an all-time high as investors weighed Fitch and Moody’s robust economic outlook, with Fitch projecting growth of 3.5% for FY27. Additionally, the government’s plans to cut Rs2.6 trillion worth of circular debt alongside upbeat data of exports, cement dispatches and rupee stability drove the PSX to the record close, he noted.
At the end of trading, the benchmark KSE-100 index recorded an increase of 1,574.32 points, or 1.06%, and settled at 149,770.75.
In its market review, Topline Securities remarked that the bullish momentum from previous sessions continued, driven by strong institutional inflows, particularly in banking and cement sectors. According to a Topline analyst, cement sales are gaining momentum in August and earnings could exceed expectations.
The sustained optimism propelled the benchmark KSE-100 index to intra-day high of 150,323, up 2,127 points, before it closed at an all-time high of 149,771, marking a net gain of 1,574 points, it said.
The rally was largely fuelled by index heavyweights including Bank AL Habib, UBL, Lucky Cement, Meezan Bank and Engro Corporation, which contributed 1,306 points to the index’s upward trajectory.
In its commentary, Arif Habib Limited (AHL) stated that the KSE-100 witnessed another strong session, with the index unlocking 150,000 points intra-day. Some 60 shares rose while 40 fell, with Bank AL Habib (+10%), Lucky Cement (+4.13%) and Meezan Bank (+3.63%) contributing the most to index gains.
On the flip side, Fauji Fertiliser Company (-0.75%), Oil and Gas Development Company (-1.58%) and Hub Power (-1.38%) were the biggest drags, it said.
Systems Limited (-1.51%) announced its 1HCY25 earnings per share (EPS) of Rs3.52, an increase of 59%, which was in line with expectations. The increase was primarily driven by higher technology services’ exports and improved gross margins, AHL noted.
Additionally, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) reported FY25 EPS of Rs45.11, an increase of 33% year-on-year, and dividend per share of Rs10, which was also in line with expectations.
Kot Addu Power Co and Fauji Foundation jointly submitted an offer to Pharaon Investment to buy its 84.06% stake in Attock Cement (-1.48%). Moreover, Oil and Gas Development Company (-1.58%) and Pakistan Petroleum (-1.57%), in separate meetings, approved an increase in pro rata funding commitment, including the project cost to $715 million.
“Near term support rises to 147,500-148,300 points, against which immediate gains are anticipated to continue,” AHL concluded.
AHL Deputy Head of Trading Ali Najib remarked that the KSE-100 index sustained its bullish streak, briefly unlocking the 150k milestone intra-day before closing the session higher, reflecting renewed investor optimism. Macro developments also lent support as Fitch’s improved outlook on Pakistan’s banking sector boosted sentiment, citing stronger capital buffers, improving credit growth potential and a healthier macro backdrop, he stated.
Overall trading volumes increased to 809.1 million shares compared with Monday’s tally of 610.3 million. Traded value stood at Rs48.4 billion. Shares of 483 companies were traded. Of these, 265 stocks closed higher, 194 dropped and 24 remained unchanged.
WorldCall Telecom was the volume leader with trading in 52.3 million shares, gaining Rs0.05 to close at Rs1.45. It was followed by The Bank of Punjab with 46.1 million shares, gaining Rs0.33 to close at Rs14.76 and Fauji Cement with 43.7 million shares, gaining Rs2.98 to close at Rs53.48. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs488 million, the National Clearing Company reported.
Business
Electric cars eligible for £3,750 discount announced

Pritti MistryBusiness reporter, BBC News

The first electric vehicles (EV) eligible for the £3,750 discount under the government’s grant scheme have been announced.
The Department for Transport confirmed Ford’s Puma Gen-E or e-Tourneo Courier would be discounted as part of plans to encourage drivers to move away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
Under the grant scheme, the discount applies to eligible car models costing up to £37,000, with the most environmentally friendly ones seeing the biggest reductions. Another 26 models have been cleared for discounts of £1,500.
Carmakers can apply for models to be eligible for grants, which are then automatically applied at the point of sale.
More vehicles are expected to be approved in the coming weeks and the DfT said the policy would bring down prices to “closely match their petrol and diesel counterparts”.
The government has pledged to ban the sale of new fully petrol or diesel cars from 2030.
But many drivers cite upfront costs as a key barrier to buying an EV and some have told the BBC that the UK needs more charging points.
According to Ford’s website, the recommended retail price (RRP) for a new Puma Gen-E starts from £29,905 while a petrol equivalent is upward of £26,060. With the reduction applied, buyers would be looking in the region of £26,155 for the EV version.
The grants to lower the cost of EVs will be funded through the £650m scheme, and will be available for three years.
There are around 1.3 million electric cars on Britain’s roads but currently only around 82,000 public charging points.
Full list of EVs eligible for the £1,500 discount
- Citroën ë-C3 and Citroën ë-C3 Aircross
- Citroën ë-C4 and Citroën ë-C4 X
- Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
- Citroën ë-Berlingo
- Cupra Born
- DS DS3
- DS N°4
- Nissan Ariya
- Nissan Micra
- Peugeot E-208
- Peugeot E-2008
- Peugeot E-308
- Peugeot E-408
- Peugeot E-Rifter
- Renault 4
- Renault 5
- Renault Alpine A290
- Renault Megane
- Renault Scenic
- Vauxhall Astra Electric
- Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric
- Vauxhall Frontera Electric
- Vauxhall Grandland Electric
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric
- Volkswagen ID.3
The up-front cost of EVs is higher on average than for petrol cars.
According to Autotrader, the average price of a new battery electric car was £49,790 in June 2025, based on manufacturers’ recommended prices for 148 models.
The equivalent for a petrol car was £34,225, but the average covers a broad range of prices.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the grant scheme was making it “easier and cheaper for families to make the switch to electric”.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said drivers “frequently tell us that the upfront costs of new EVs are a stumbling block to making the switch to electric”.
“It is great to see some of these more substantial £3,750 discounts coming online because for some drivers this might just bridge the financial gap to make these cars affordable.”
Business
Donald Trump tariffs: Why did Nifty50, BSE Sensex tank in trade? Top reasons stock for market fall – The Times of India

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, crashed in trade on Thursday, a day after Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on India came into effect. While Nifty50 closed at 24,500.90, down 211 points, BSE Sensex ended at 80,080.57, down 706 points or 0.87%.The newly imposed tariffs emerged as the main factor affecting market performance, whilst investors simultaneously grappled with additional challenges, including unfavourable global market indicators and continuous withdrawal of foreign investments. These factors collectively intensified the market decline, causing the benchmark indices to fall further.The severe downturn resulted in BSE-listed companies losing Rs 4.14 lakh crore in market capitalisation, bringing the exchange’s total market value down to Rs 445.80 lakh crore.
Why did the stock market fall today? Top reasons
50% US tariffs on IndiaThe new 25% additional tariffs from Washington on Indian goods became effective on Wednesday, creating uncertainty for exporters and overall market sentiment.Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, believes these duties will affect equities temporarily but shouldn’t cause widespread concern.“The 50% tariff imposed on India, which has already come into effect, will weigh on market sentiments in the near-term. But the market is unlikely to panic since the market will view these high tariffs as a short-term aberration which will be resolved soon,” Vijayakumar said, noting US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant’s statement that “at the end of the day India and US will come together.”Additionally, Vijayakumar identified high valuations and poor earnings performance as ongoing issues. He expects export-focused industries to experience short-term difficulties, whilst suggesting investors consider moving towards reasonably priced domestic consumption sectors. He recommends transitioning from volatile small-cap investments to more stable large-cap consumer stocks for better risk management.FII sell-off continuesForeign institutional investors extended their selling momentum for the third consecutive session. Exchange data showed that on August 26, FIIs sold shares valued at over Rs 6,500 crore. Conversely, domestic institutional investors emerged as net buyers, investing Rs 7,060 crore.The selling pattern has affected multiple sectors. In early August, FIIs withdrew approximately Rs 31,900 crore across eight sectors, with financial and technology sectors experiencing the highest outflows. Net equity sales reached Rs 20,976 crore in the first half of the month, following July’s withdrawals and pushing the total outflows for the year to Rs 1.2 trillion.Earlier this month, Jefferies reported that foreign portfolio investor presence in India had reached its lowest level in a decade. Despite consistent domestic inflows providing support, analysts suggest that any market recovery could remain unstable.Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments emphasised the importance of domestic institutional support. “The strong pillar of support to the market is the aggressive buying by DIIs flush with funds,” he noted, explaining that domestic investments are helping balance the foreign outflows.Global markets in redAsian markets displayed weakness on Thursday as investors weighed Nvidia’s exceptional earnings against growing worries regarding the company’s business interests in China.The MSCI Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japan, fluctuated throughout the session before declining 0.2%. Similarly, US stock futures declined during extended trading hours, with S&P 500 e-minis dropping 0.2% and Nasdaq futures declining 0.4%. Despite reporting outstanding results, Nvidia’s shares retreated as uncertainties persisted over its Chinese operations amidst ongoing US-China trade tensions.Japanese markets showed volatility following news that Tokyo’s chief trade representative cancelled a planned visit to Washington, postponing discussions about a recently concluded trade agreement. The Nikkei 225 registered a 0.4% increase. In contrast, Hong Kong’s market performance weakened, with the Hang Seng Index recording a 1% decline.Market sentiment further deteriorated following US political developments, as President Donald Trump announced the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. This decision raised questions about the central bank’s autonomy, although Cook has indicated her intention to legally contest the dismissal.Technicals show market weaknessTechnical indicators suggest market weakness ahead, although some strategists anticipate a potential short-term recovery.At Geojit Investments, Chief Market Strategist Anand James observed bearish conditions, identifying 24,071-23,860 as target levels. He acknowledged that the sharp 2% drop over four sessions could spark a recovery, with 24,780 and 24,870 acting as resistance points. “Inability to float above 24,630 or clear 24,900 will signal that bears continue to have the upper hand,” he said.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market and other asset classes given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
Business
Stock Market Updates: Sensex Slides 700 Points, Nifty Below 24,550; IT, Realty Stocks Under Pressure

Last Updated:
Domestic equities are trading under pressure on Thursday, with export-focused stocks facing headwinds

Sensex Today.
Sensex Today: Indian equities extended losses on Thursday, August 28, as markets digested the impact of fresh 50% tariffs on US exports that came into effect a day earlier.
At 1:30 PM, the BSE Sensex was down 562 points, or 0.70%, at 80,224, while the Nifty50 fell 163 points, or 0.66%, to 24,549.
Shriram Finance, HCL Tech, Infosys, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, TCS, Power Grid, Bharti Airtel, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, Trent, Jio Financial, and M\&M led the Nifty losers. On the other hand, Titan, Adani Ports, Asian Paints, Larsen & Toubro, Eternal, and Bajaj Finance bucked the weak trend.
The new duties, among the steepest in Asia, follow India’s continued imports of Russian crude oil and have strained ties between New Delhi and Washington. Shares of export-oriented sectors such as apparel, textiles, auto parts, engineering goods, gems & jewellery, shrimp, and carpets were in focus.
In the broader markets, the Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices shed 0.9% each. Volatility also inched up, with India VIX down 0.9%.
Sectorally, IT and Realty indices slipped over 1% each, while all major sectors ended in the red barring Consumer Durables, Metals, and Oil & Gas.
Global Cues
In contrast, most Asian benchmarks were trading higher, tracking overnight US gains before a late pullback. Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.3%, while South Korea’s benchmark gained 0.3%, leading advances on the MSCI Asia Pacific index.
Meanwhile, US futures slipped in Asian trading after chipmaker Nvidia’s sales outlook missed lofty expectations, hinting at a slowdown in AI-driven growth after years of strong momentum.
On Wednesday, the S&P 500 gained 0.24% and the Nasdaq rose 0.21%, both closing in positive territory.
Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a…Read More
Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a… Read More
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