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PSX closes range-bound session in green

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  • Market manages to close with minimal gain of 174.75 points or 0.43%.
  • Benchmark KSE-100 index closes at 41,054.68 points.
  • Shares of 315 companies were traded during session.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Tuesday witnessed a range-bound session despite negative cues that dented sentiments of other financial markets. 

The stock market opened in the green, however, it soon succumbed to the selling pressure as the bears staged a comeback and held a firm grip during the session. However, the market managed to close with minimal gains. 

At close, the benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 41,054.68 points with a gain of 174.75 points or 0.43%.

Benchmark KSE-100 index intra-day trading curve. — PSX data portal
Benchmark KSE-100 index intra-day trading curve. — PSX data portal

According to Arif Habib Limited, the PSX observed a positive session due to the expectations of Pakistan’s exclusion from the grey list of Financial Action Task Force (FATF). 

The KSE-100 index stayed in the green zone as investors opted for value hunting in the oil marketing companies (OMCs), exploration and production and cement sectors. 

The volumes remained sluggish on the main board whereas third-tier stocks witnessed healthy volumes.

Sectors contributing to the performance include Banks (+52.6 points),  exploration and production (+43.2 points), OMCs (+32.1 points), technology (+28.4 points) and fertiliser (+15.6 points).

Shares of 315 companies were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 163 scrips closed in the green, 128 in the red, and 24 remained unchanged.

Overall trading volumes rose to 120.12 million shares compared with Monday’s tally of 163.79 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs3.36 billion.

Unity Foods Limited was the volume leader with 8.18 million shares traded, losing Rs0.12 to close at Rs20.05. It was followed by K-Electric Limited with 7.42 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.02 to close at Rs2.57 and Hum Network Limited with 7.27 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.08 to close at Rs7.16. 

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Pakistan’s gold prices are still declining; see the most recent

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The price of 10-gram gold reduced by Rs943 to settle at Rs207,733, while the price of gold dropped by Rs1200 to close at Rs242,300 a tola, according to the Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

In the global market, the price of the precious metal fell by $10 to $2,349 per ounce, resulting in losses.

At 04:48 GMT, the spot price of gold had dropped by 0.2% to $2,354.77 per ounce. In the previous session, prices reached a two-week high.

American gold futures dropped 0.6% to $2,361.

Spot silver decreased by 0.4% to $28.03 per ounce, while palladium remained steady at $978.03 and platinum decreased by 0.1% to $992.89.

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Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

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Pakistan is requesting a $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the international lender over the next three to four years to address its financial troubles.

A mission team led by Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief in Pakistan, is meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Islamabad may face more difficult options, such as raising power and gas bills.

Mr. Aurganzeb informed the IMF team that the country’s economy has improved as a result of the IMF loan package, and Islamabad is ready to sign a new loan programme to further develop.

The IMF mission expressed satisfaction with Islamabad’s efforts to revive the country’s struggling economy.

The IMF praised Pakistan’s economic growth in its staff report earlier this week, but warned that the outlook remains challenging, with very high downside risks.

The country nearly avoided collapse last summer, and its $350 billion economy has stabilized since the end of the last IMF program, with inflation falling to roughly 17% in April from a record high of 38% last May.

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Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

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According to sources, the government is set to decrease petrol prices by Rs 14 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 10 on May 16 for the next fortnight’s revision.

Last month, the government reduced the price of fuel and high-speed diesel by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 per fortnight, respectively.

The current fuel price is Rs288.49 per litre, while the HSD price is Rs281.96.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell further on Monday, as signs of sluggish fuel consumption and comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials dimmed optimism for interest rate reduction, which may slow growth and reduce fuel demand in the world’s largest economy.

Brent crude prices down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.07 per barrel.

Oil prices also declined on signals of poor demand, according to ANZ analysts, as gasoline and distillate inventories in the United States increased in the week before the start of the driving season.

Refiners throughout the world are dealing with falling diesel profitability as new refineries increase supply and warm weather in the northern hemisphere and weak economic activity reduce demand.

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