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PSX soars to all-time high on positive macros

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KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Friday soared to an all-time high as it rallied over 400 points — crossing the 53,000 barrier — driven by positive cues including the expectations of clearing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) review. 

Currently, the market stands at 53,111.30 points with a gain of 454.54 or 0.86% points. This is the first time the KSE-100 index has breached the 53,000-mark. 

Benchmark KSE-100 index. — PSX data portal
Benchmark KSE-100 index. — PSX data portal

Arif Habib Limited wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the market has achieved a remarkable milestone by soaring to unprecedented all-time high levels, surging past previous records and “setting a new era of financial excellence”. 

Capital market expert Saad Ali told Geo.tv that the market was driven by abating political risk, macro indicators moving in the right direction, the expectation of a favourable IMF review and anticipation of rate cuts in the near term. 

“However, the market remains cheap by historical standard at only 4x forward earnings,” he said.

Pakistan-Kuwait Head of Research, Samiullah Tariq, told Geo.tv: “Strong earnings, expectations of clearing IMF review, and expectations of a decline in interest rates in the future are driving the market.”

In October, the KSE-100 index was announced as the world’s third best-performing market as it touched a six-year high level of 51,920 points.

A day earlier, the IMF delegation in Pakistan lauded the steps taken by Pakistan but emphasised that Pakistan has to strictly implement all the targets.

The IMF mission led by Nathan Porter had arrived in Pakistan a day earlier to lead the two-week-long talks on the second tranche under the SBA.

Dr Akhtar assured the IMF that targets are being implemented under the loan programme and that all the conditions of the IMF have been implemented so far.

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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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