Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw renewed investor buying on Friday following positive political and economic developments. At 10:05 am, the KSE-100 index stood at 167,471.26, up 1,187.71 points (0.69%).

Out of 560 active companies, 310 advanced, 79 declined, and 171 remained unchanged.

Strong buying was observed in sectors like automobiles, cement, fertilizers, banks, oil & gas, OMCs, and power generation.

Major index-heavy stocks including ARL, HUBCO, MARI, OGDC, POL, PPL, SSGC, NBP, and UBL traded in the green.

The market was boosted by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) extending a $3 billion deposit maturing on December 8, 2025, for another year, supporting Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.

Confidence was further lifted after General Asim Munir’s appointment as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

On Thursday, the KSE-100 had closed at 166,283.55 points, up 138.20 points (0.08%).

Friday’s session recorded a trading volume of 607.79 million shares worth Rs31.224 billion, compared to 593.08 million shares valued at Rs44.424 billion in the previous session.

Market capitalization rose to Rs18.948 trillion from Rs18.915 trillion.

Lalpir Power led trading volumes with 108.918 million shares, followed by PIA Holding Company (37.829 million) and PTCL (34.470 million).

The top gainers included Service Industries Limited, rising by Rs157.80 to close at Rs1,735.80, and PIA Holding Company Limited-B, which gained Rs145.67 to settle at Rs24,379.00.

Major losers were Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, which fell by Rs382.33 to close at Rs28,542.67, and Pakistan Services Limited, declining by Rs95.55 to close at Rs1,331.50.

Shiv Garg, Director, Forteasia Realty Pvt. Ltd..

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decreased the policy rate to 5.25% and made a bold statement by adopting the theme of growth support. The developers will be able to get working capital more easily, which will, in turn, make it possible for them to get their projects financed and thus, speed up the construction of townships, plotted, and large integrated projects that are heavy on capital expenditure. Lowering the monthly home loan EMI by Rs 1,850 for a 20-year Rs 35 lakh loan will make housing more affordable. It will happen at the time when banks and NBFCs are lowering their loan rates, and the developers with strong balance sheets can refinance at lower costs and pass on the benefits to the buyers in terms of limited-time offers and schemes. This policy measure, along with an upgraded FY26 GDP forecast, will usher in a new cycle of launches, the consolidation of weaker players, and increased institutional investment in residential, commercial, and warehousing assets.

Anurag Goel, Director, Goel Ganga Developments

The recent reduction of the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% is expected to have a significant impact on home loan rates in the coming months, assuming banks and HFCs quickly pass the benefit on to the borrowers. Upward revision of GDP growth forecasts for FY26 leads to a better income view and increased job confidence, which is exactly what makes those who are undecided finally turn their inquiries into bookings. The combination of lower EMIs and a more optimistic growth outlook creates a perfect timing for the end-users in the affordable and mid-income segments, particularly in Tier II and III cities where EMI sensitivity is high. This act can spark a revival in the areas where the price hike was already felt, and at the same time, it would contribute to pro-cyclical and healthy upcycling rather than speculative froth.

Pramod Kumar Gupta, Director, Kadamashree Developers India LLP

The repo rate of 5.25% which came after the series of cuts in 2025, significantly boosted the relative appeal of real estate as an investment class compared to fixed-income products. Investors are likely to see Grade A residential, commercial strata units and listed REITs as the new places for superior risk-adjusted returns and regular cash flows as safer instruments yields go lower. The increased FY26 GDP growth expectancy points to a long-lasting demand situation for the likes of office, retail and logistics that will in turn support rental growth and reduced vacancy rates midterm. The policy change is like rolling out the carpet for homebuyers and investors who think long-term as it indicates the start of a friendly interest rate cycle where getting in on quality assets during the rise could provide both capital appreciation and income stability for the next 3–5 years.