Business
PSX rebounds strongly with 1,300-point rally driven by retail, institutional buying | The Express Tribune
Market activity remained strong, with the KSE All Share Index recording turnover of 1.02 billion shares
Renewed optimism swept through the Pakistan Stock Exchange as the benchmark KSE-100 index posted a strong gain of nearly 1,300 points, supported by broad-based buying across key sectors.
The rally was evident in automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies, power generation and refinery stocks, signalling robust interest from both retail and institutional investors. This sector-wide momentum helped reinforce overall market strength despite a cautious economic backdrop.
A shift in market dynamics also appears to be emerging. Bloomberg reported that retail investors are increasingly driving Pakistan’s market surge, reflecting a rare phase of confidence after years of political uncertainty and volatility.
According to the report, the KSE-100 Index has climbed roughly 40% in 2025, placing it among Asia’s top-performing markets as improved political stability and attractive returns draw in individual investors. Traders are moving towards equities as alternative investment options stagnate, with property prices flat and deposit rates having halved over the past two years.
Throughout Wednesday’s session, the benchmark index oscillated between an intraday high of 162,741.73 and a low of 161,279.02 before closing at 162,226.28, up 1,291.15 points, or 0.80%.
Read: PSX stumbles as selling pressure mounts
In its market wrap, KTrade Securities noted that the PSX closed on a positive note primarily due to continued strength in Fauji Fertiliser, which has recently been reclassified as a Shariah-compliant stock. The stock outperformed in an otherwise muted market, while mutual fund buying added further support.
Fertilisers remained the largest contributors to the index’s gains, followed by the oil and gas sector. Major positive movers included Fauji Fertiliser, Pakistan Petroleum, Oil & Gas Development Company, Pakistan State Oil, Engro Fertiliser and Maple Leaf Cement.
Market activity remained strong, with the KSE All Share Index recording a turnover of 1.02 billion shares, reflecting healthy participation. KTrade said sentiment is expected to track developments in law and order, broader political shifts and macroeconomic indicators. Investor focus will remain on the upcoming IMF tranche and regional geopolitical developments, which are likely to shape near-term market direction.
Overall trading volume declined to 1 billion shares, down from 1.5 billion on Tuesday. Shares of 484 companies were traded, with 194 closing higher, 244 lower and 46 unchanged. WorldCall Telecom led the volume chart with 160.2 million shares traded, slipping Rs0.14 to close at Rs1.91.
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Zydus Lifesciences has appointed three investment banks as advisers as it prepares to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore through QIP
Zydus QIP
Zydus Lifesciences (formerly Cadila Lifesciences) has appointed three investment banks as advisers as it prepares to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP), Moneycontrol reported, quoting industry sources.
According to the sources, the company aims to pare debt and pursue mergers and acquisitions (M&A) opportunities, particularly in its US specialty business.
“Jefferies, JP Morgan and IIFL Capital have been picked for the proposed capital raise,” one of the persons told Moneycontrol.
A second source confirmed the advisory syndicate and added that the QIP could be launched by the end of December or in early 2026, depending on market conditions.
During the Q25Y26 post-results earnings call, Zydus Lifesciences Managing Director Dr Sharvil Patel elaborated on the rationale behind the capital raise.
“So, the key objective is to deleverage our balance sheet by reducing our existing debt. Also, there are strategic moves which will enhance our financial ability and agility to strengthen our capital structure, positioning us better for future growth. The board has approved the enabling QIP resolution to allow us the flexibility to tap capital markets when required. More importantly, we have opportunities to look at the US specialty business and scale it up beyond Saroglitazar,” Patel said.
Saroglitazar is a liver disease drug for which Zydus plans to submit a US regulatory application in the first quarter of 2026, as per reports.
Patel further added, “There are opportunities in the international market, specifically Europe, and we are also evaluating innovative assets. The capital raise will give us the capability to execute on some of these.”
Zydus Lifesciences: Focus on reducing debt
On its net debt-to-EBITDA ratio, Patel noted: “Without any acquisition, we don’t want to cross one time, and for a short period we can go up to two times and then reduce net debt back to one time. That’s the range of spend we will look at.”
For FY25–26, the company reported revenues of Rs 15,116 crore and a net profit of Rs 5,774 crore, according to exchange filings.
A September 9 report by Crisil stated: “Gross debt stood at Rs 3,213 crore as of March 31, 2025 (Rs 804 crore as of March 31, 2024), on account of higher working capital requirements. Liquidity was superior at Rs 5,681 crore as of March 31, 2025.”
Crisil also noted: “Crisil Ratings expects the business risk profile of Zydus Life to continue improving, supported by double-digit revenue growth this fiscal and the next, led by continued traction in domestic and international markets, ramp-up in sales of new chemical entities and biosimilars, and benefits from recent acquisitions. The company is expected to sustain healthy operating margins of 25–26%, leading to higher cash accrual.”
Zydus Lifesciences: M&A strategy
Earlier this year, the company strengthened its medical technology portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in a French asset for around Rs 2,450 crore.
On March 11, Zydus Lifesciences said it had entered exclusive negotiations to acquire an 85.6 percent controlling stake in France-based Amplitude Surgical SA, a leading medical technology player specialising in lower-limb orthopaedic solutions.
In the consumer wellness segment, Zydus Wellness, a subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences, acquired the UK-based Comfort Click Limited (CCL), one of the fastest-growing digital consumer healthcare platforms in the vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) space, which derives most of its revenue from e-commerce and D2C channels.
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
November 20, 2025, 12:44 IST
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Business
PM Kisan 21st Installment Not Received Yet? Here’s Why And What You Should Do To Get Rs 2000
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the PM Kisan 21st installment of Rs 18000 crore from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, benefitting over 9 crore farmers nationwide.
PM Kisan 21st Installment Released
PM Kisan 21st Instalment Released: The 21st installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme amounting Rs 18,000 crore was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, benefitting over 9 crore farmers across the nation. Under the PM Kisan scheme, eligible farmers get Rs 2,000 every four months, which is Rs 6,000 annually. The money is provided each year in three instalments — April-July, August-November and December-March. The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
The 21st installment was directly sent to beneficiary’s amount via DBT, although several eligible farmers are still awaiting their Rs 2000 in their accounts.
There could be many reasons behind not receiving the PM Kisan 21st installment. The common ones are: incomplete e-KYC, unverified land records, and incorrect personal or bank details in the application.
How To Check PM Kisan 21st Installment Status?
1. Check Installment Status on the PM-Kisan Website
- The official PM-Kisan portal provides a real-time update on your payment status.
- Visit the official website: pmkisan.gov.in
- Click on ‘Know Your Status’ on the homepage.
- Enter your Aadhaar number, PM-Kisan ID, or registered mobile number.
- Enter the captcha and click ‘Get Status’.
- You will be able to see whether the 21st installment has been credited, the date of transfer, and your beneficiary status.
2. Use the PM-Kisan Mobile App
- Farmers who prefer mobile access can check using the official app.
- Install the PM-KISAN mobile app from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and select “Beneficiary Status”.
- Enter your Aadhaar or mobile number.
- The app will show the status of all previously credited installments, including the latest one.
3. Check Your Bank Account or SMS Alerts
- The installment is credited directly to your bank account linked with PM-Kisan.
- Farmers usually receive an SMS from their bank confirming the credit.
If you didn’t receive an SMS:
- Visit your bank’s nearest branch
- Update your passbook
Or check your balance on mobile banking / micro ATM / AePS services through your Aadhaar-linked fingerprint scan.
What to Do If You Haven’t Received the Payment
If your instalment has not been received even after meeting all requirements:
You can call the PM-KISAN Helpline at 1800-180-1551 (toll-free) to get assistance and know the reason
You can also visit your nearest CSC (Common Service Centre) for help with e-KYC and application updates. Then, file a complaint on the CPGRAMS Portal. The charge is Rs 50 per complaint.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
November 20, 2025, 10:42 IST
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Business
Stock market today: Nifty50 opens near 26,100; BSE Sensex up over 150 points – The Times of India
Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Thursday. While Nifty50 was near 26,100, BSE Sensex was up over 150 points. At 9:18 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 26,095.80, up 43 points or 0.17%. BSE Sensex was at 85,346.62, up 160 points or 0.19%.Market experts anticipate a steady upward trajectory, whilst maintaining caution as global economic data emerges and markets await the completion of the first phase of the India-US trade agreement.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “The bullish trend in the market is likely to sustain aided by positive triggers. At the fundamental level the picture of ‘strong macros but weak micros’ at the beginning of the year is changing to ‘ strong macros and improving micros’. This fundamental support is aided by the change in perception towards India by leading global banks who now consider India fairly valued and buyable in the context of a resilient economy and improving corporate earnings. The weakening AI trade is another positive for India which can be regarded as an anti-AI trade. FIIs turning buyers in the cash market yesterday is a reflection of this changing perception towards India.” “In the market, this is likely to manifest in preference for and outperformance of largecaps, particularly over small caps whose valuations are hard to justify even after the correction. Bank Nifty, despite the recent run up, has more room to rally since fundamentals and valuations are supportive.”Asian equities moved higher, with the Nikkei 225 advancing 3.7% whilst South Korea’s Kospi, leading the AI sector and amongst this year’s best performers, rose 2.5%. Bitcoin traded above $92,000 amidst improved market sentiment.US equities concluded a volatile session with gains on Wednesday, recovering from recent declines as technology shares advanced prior to Nvidia’s earnings report.Foreign portfolio investors purchased shares worth Rs 1,580 crore net on Wednesday. Domestic institutional investors were net buyers, investing Rs 1360 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
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