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KSE-100 index gains over 250 points on positive cues

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  • Massive recovery of rupee against US dollar triggered bullish sentiment among market players.
  • Trading session kicked off in green and until midday, KSE-100 continued to fluctuate in a narrow range.
  • At close, KSE-100 index closed at 42,716.97 points after gaining 0.61%.

KARACHI: The bears took a break from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday as it surged into the green territory, with investors taking cues from the agreement between Pakistan and Chinese banks for inflows worth $2.3 billion.

Massive recovery of the rupee against the US dollar by 2.7% day-on-day in the interbank market triggered bullish sentiment among market players.

Moreover, constant assurance from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Miftah Ismail regarding the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme sparked optimism among market participants, who resorted to making fresh purchases.

Earlier, the trading session kicked off in the green and until midday, the benchmark KSE-100 index continued to fluctuate in a narrow range.

At close, the benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 42,716.97 points after gaining 258.83 points or 0.61%.

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

Arif Habib Limited in its post-market commentary noted that the benchmark KSE-100 index was dominated by the bulls today.

“Across the board rally was witnessed as Chinese consortium of banks signed an RMB 15 billion ($2.3 billion) loan facility agreement which resulted in the recovery of Pakistani rupee against the US dollar,” it stated.

Meanwhile, volumes also remained healthy across the board. The independent power producers (IPP) sector remained in limelight as the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved Rs149 billion for the power sector to be paid to the IPPs and K-Electric in the current fiscal year.

Sectors contributing to the performance included power (+74.8 points), banks (+52.2 points), technology (+26.4 points), oil marketing companies (+25.9 points) and cement (+15 points).

Shares of 347 companies were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 235 scrips closed in the green, 87 in the red, and 25 remained unchanged.

Overall trading volumes rose to 349.48 million shares compared with Wednesday’s tally of 266.09 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs10.13 billion.

Cnergyico PK Limited was the volume leader with 37.4 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.22 to close at Rs5.78. It was followed by Pakistan Refinery with 29.34 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.56 to close at Rs19.54 and K-Electric with 27.96 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.19 to close at Rs2.85.

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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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