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KSE-100 soars despite negative cues

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  • Optimistic investor spirits drive the flow of funds to index-heavy sectors.
  • KSE-100 index surge 591.27 points to settle at 44,928.83.
  • Shares of 362 were traded during the session.

 KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) bounced back on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 surged by nearly 600 points supported by late-session buying.

Anticipation of encouraging financial results allowed investors to cherry-pick stocks that had dropped to attractive valuations following multiple rounds of hammering in the past month owing to rising political uncertainty in the country.

Optimistic investor spirits drove the flow of funds to index-heavy sectors and all heavyweights closed with modest gains.

The market players also ignored concerns raised by Moody’s regarding a negative rating due to the no-confidence motion submitted against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, during the month of March, the benchmark KSE-100 index rose 1.1% as positivity returned to the bourse despite deafening political noise and the commencement of a military war between Russia and Ukraine.

At the close, the KSE-100 index surged 591.27 points, or 1.33%, to settle at 44,928.83 points.

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

Arif Habib Limited in its post-market commentary noted that the market witnessed positive momentum along with improved trading volumes today.

“The benchmark KSE-100 index stayed in the green zone,” it stated, adding that investors seemed to be optimistic on the ground of decline in international oil prices and expectation of upcoming good financial results in cement stocks.

Meanwhile, on the flip side activity remained healthy in third-tier stocks.

Sectors contributing to the performance included technology (+118.2 points), fertiliser (+87.1 points), banks (+67.7 points) and cement (+41 points).

Shares of 362 were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 273 scrips closed in the green, 75 in the red, and 14 remained unchanged.

Overall trading volumes rose to 344.13 million shares compared with Tuesday’s tally of 268.91 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs7.8 billion.

K-Electric was the volume leader with 56.07 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.03 to close at Rs3.14. It was followed by Treet Corporation with 34.44 million shares traded, gaining Rs2.20 to close at Rs33.93, and Telecard Limited with 27.29 million shares traded, gaining Re1 to close at Rs14.17.

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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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