Connect with us

Business

Bears rule stocks as KSE-100 plunges over 1,700 points

Published

on

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) started the day on a negative note as the benchmark index witnessed a sharp decline of over 1,700 points on Tuesday. 

The KSE-100 index dipped to a low of 59,907.70 points during the intraday trading, down by 1,797.39 points or 2.91%, according to the PSX website.

KSE-100 index. — PSX website
KSE-100 index. — PSX website 

Head of Equities at Intermarket Securities Raza Jafri told Geo.tv that leveraged positions may possibly still be unwinding, however, volumes are on the thinner side.

“It is possible the corrective phase runs its course out this week, and that January opens on a more positive note,” he added. 

Head of Research at Pakistan-Kuwait Investment, Samiullah Tariq, said that there were several factors affecting the market including year-end correction and profit taking. 

Stocks ended the previous week on a low note as investors cashed in their profits while the next week was expected to see subdued trading activity due to the rollover period and the long holidays, The News reported citing dealers. 

“We expect subdued interest from foreign investors in the market owing to long holidays,” brokerage Arif Habib Ltd said in a note. “Additionally, the upcoming week marks a rollover period that investors will closely monitor.”

“Moreover, we observe that stocks persistently offer attractive valuations, possibly enticing investors.”

The market closed at 61,705 points, declining by 4,425 points or 6.7 percent week on week. 

Business

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Business

Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Business

Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending