Blog | One Homes

KSE-100 Breaks 157,816: A Historic Journey of Pakistan’s Stock Market

Written by Saliha Aziz | Sep 22, 2025 1:32:50 PM

The Karachi Stock Exchange has entered uncharted territory. On 18 September 2025, the KSE-100 Index broke through the 157,816 mark, setting a new all-time high and sparking global interest in Pakistan’s capital markets. For seasoned investors, this milestone is proof that resilience and reform can translate into record-breaking gains.

At the same time, Pakistan’s property market has been undergoing its own transformation. Developers like One Homes, known for climate-smart and resilient projects, reflect the same trend driving the stock market: confidence built on foresight. Just as investors reward companies that adapt, real estate buyers now prefer developers who create long-lasting value.

 


A New Peak for PSX

On 18 September 2025, the KSE-100 index surged past the 157,816 level, closing at approximately 157,953.46 points. This marked a fresh all-time high for Pakistan’s benchmark stock index. Market analysts credit the move to the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact, sector-specific reforms, and strengthening local liquidity. 

 

A Market Defined by Resilience

The KSE-100 has long been a barometer of investor confidence. From its base value of 1,000 points in 1991, the index has tracked the ups and downs of Pakistan’s economy. 

In 2008, during the global financial crisis, the KSE faced one of its darkest moments, with trading halted amid a steep market crash. 
Yet over the following decade, it recovered and surged, crossing 50,000 points in 2017, before another round of volatility.

The latest peak above 157,000 highlights how dramatically the market has risen, with the KSE-100 climbing from around 41,000 points in early 2023 to record highs in September 2025.

 

What Led to the Breakout

The breakout to the 157,000-plus zone was not sudden. Several building blocks came into place over the months before:

  • Strong sentiment in early September  with PSX crossing 153,000 as investors reacted favourably to macro signals.

  • Corporate earnings showing resilience, especially in banking, energy, and refinery sectors. These provided confidence that profitability could sustain the index’s rise.

  • A favourable external geopolitical landscape, including a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, which boosted risk appetite.

 

Volume, Valuation & Market Participation

 

  • Year-to-date (YTD) returns for the index are around 33.48% while the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is modest at about 8.8, making it relatively attractive to value-focused investors.

 

  • Broad participation from large-cap and mid-cap sectors contributed to the rally, reducing reliance on only a few heavyweight names. Liquidity conditions are improving. 

 

Risk Factors Still in Play

Even with this record, several headwinds remain:

  • Inflationary pressures and rising cost of doing business can upset the earnings strength.

  • External debt obligations and currency volatility weigh on the investor's cost of capital.

  • Policy follow-through and regulatory clarity will be required to keep trust intact.

 

What This Means Overall

KSE-100’s rise past 157,816 shows how investor sentiment in Pakistan has turned from cautious to confident. The rally is supported by reforms, stronger policies, and better company performance. 

For those watching emerging markets, this record signals that the PSX is gaining recognition as a market with real potential, as long as reforms stay on track and global challenges are managed.

 

Building Confidence Beyond the Market

The KSE-100 crossing 157,816 shows that resilience brings results. Investors trust markets that prove their strength, and the same is true in real estate. Just as reforms and confidence lifted the stock market, buyers want homes built with care for the future. 

At One Homes, every project follows this principle, from careful land checks to climate-smart design, so investors and families know their assets will last. In uncertain times, trust and foresight are what truly protect value.