Friday, May 30 2025

Stocks turn bullish on easing tensions
Amid easing geopolitical tensions and strong anticipation of relief for the agriculture sector in the upcoming budget, the stock market attracted renewed buying interest. Overnight, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that his ministry is actively working on eliminating the 18 percent general sales tax on local cotton in the upcoming budget. According to brokerage Topline Securities Ltd, the benchmark KSE 100 index gained 638.50 points or 0.54 per cent to close at 118,971.41. Intra­day excitement peaked with a high of 1,306 points, reflecting bullish sentiment across the board. Heavyweights such as Lucky Cement, United Bank, Fauji Fertiliser, Engro Holdings, and Mari Energies collectively contribute 413 points to the index.
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Thursday, May 29 2025

Equities eke out gains on value-hunting
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) halted its three-day losing streak on Tuesday, posting modest gains on some value-hunting. However, the short-term market outlook remains bearish as investors exercise caution ahead of the unveiling of taxation measures for the next fiscal year. Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation noted that the equity market showed some recovery amid speculations in the pre-budget session. Hopes for a real estate package in the federal budget attracted interest in cement stocks. Investor concerns over the IMF’s disagreement on key budgetary targets, subsidies, and rupee instability led to mid-session selling pressure. The government’s measures for raising tax collection targets amid an easing fiscal deficit played a catalytic role in the positive close at the PSX.
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Tuesday, May 27 2025

Shares at PSX trim 600 points on budget announcement delay
Bears continued their stampede on Monday at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) as shares declined by more than 600 points in intraday trade. The benchmark KSE-100 index declined by 886.10, or 0.74 per cent, to stand at 118,216.57 from the last close of 119,102.67 at 1:13pm. At 3:04pm, the index decreased by 642.92 points, or 0.54pc, from the last close. Mohammed Sohail, chief executive of Topline Securities, attributed the decline to “delay in budget announcement”, in addition to “lack of clarity” on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) “conditions related to budget pushing investors to trim their exposure”. Yousuf M. Farooq, director research at Chase Securities, said, “The market is consolidating ahead of the budget, with pressure on the oil sector following media reports of disagreements with the IMF over the circular debt resolution plan and the onset of rollover week.”
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Monday, May 26 2025

PSX turns bearish as investors fear ‘unfriendly’ IMF-driven budget
After an unprecedented relief rally in post-ceasefire week, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under renewed selling pressure, forcing the index to close the outgoing in the red as jittery investors trimmed their positions amid fears of an unfriendly IMF-driven federal budget. Contrary to the preceding week, when the benchmark KSE 100 index recovered a staggering 12,474 points or 11.64pc thanks to a US-brokered ceasefire between two nuclear-armed neighbors, the PSX faltered due to lacklustre conditions as investors preferred to remain on the sidelines before the announcement of the budget 2025-26. The government has delayed unveiling the federal budget from June 2 to June 10 due to inconclusive discussions with the International Monetary Fund on taxation and fiscal measures. According to the brokerage AKD Securities Ltd, the market remained range-bound during the outgoing week as uncertainty over the upcoming budget moderated investor confidence built on the Pak-India ceasefire and the IMF agreement.
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Friday, May 23 2025

PSX dips on oil price pressure, budget caution
The Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed a volatile session on Thursday, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index lost 778 points, or 0.65 per cent, to close at 119,153. The market remained in consolidation mode, with investors showing caution ahead of the upcoming federal budget. The day began on a strong note, with the index climbing to an intraday high of 120,699 — up 768 points — fuelled by continued optimism and speculative buying in the early session. However, the gains were short-lived as profit-taking set in during the second half, dragging the index to a low of 119,062 before settling near its session bottom. The decline was primarily driven by falling global oil prices, which exerted downward pressure on oil-related stocks, according to Topline Research. Key laggards included Engro Holdings Limited, Lucky Cement, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Pakistan State Oil and Hub Power Company, which collectively shaved off 537 points from the index. On the other hand, Systems Limited, TPL REIT Fund 1, Airlink Communication, Rafhan Maize Products, and Highnoon Laboratories were among the top positive contributors, adding a combined 258 points.
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