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KSE-100 extends gains with 79-point rise

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  • Index gains despite sluggish activity throughout the day.
  • KSE-100 index closes at 39,972.64 points.
  • Shares of 321 companies were traded today.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended gains on Wednesday despite sluggish activity throughout the day as the benchmark KSE-100 index gained nearly 80 points.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail assured that there is no risk of Pakistan defaulting anymore, which sparked positive momentum at the PSX.

Earlier, trading kicked off with a spike with the index surpassing the 40,000-point mark in the first hour of the session.

However, the gloomy scenario on the back of the depreciating Pakistan rupee and political uncertainty in the wake of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Punjab CM election shook investor confidence. The index dived by the end of the session.

At close, the benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 39,972.64 points with an increase of 78.59 points or 0.20%.

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

A report from Arif Habib Limited stated that PSX continued to remain under pressure throughout the day due to concerns regarding uncertain economic situations.

The benchmark KSE-100 index witnessed a volatile session as investors opted to remain sideways as the Pakistani rupee continued its freefall against the US dollar.

Mainboard volumes remained dry whereas decent volumes were observed in the third-tier stocks.

Sectors contributing to the performance included banks (+76.9 points), chemicals (+54.2 points), technology (+27.5 points), engineering (+14.4 points), and cement (+10.1 points).

Shares of 321 companies were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 153 scrips closed in the green, 141 in the red, and 27 remained unchanged.

Overall trading volumes dropped to 121.57 million shares compared with Tuesday’s tally of 131.86 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs4.19 billion.

Lotte Chemical was the volume leader with 10.21 million shares traded, gaining Rs1.50 to close at Rs28.50. It was followed by WorldCall Telecom with 9.26 million shares traded, losing Rs0.02 to close at Rs1.18 and TPL Properties with 9.01 million shares traded, losing Rs0.05 to close at Rs17.27.

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Irfan Siddiqui meets with the PM and informs him about the Senate performance of the parliamentary party.

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The head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee and the PML-N’s parliamentary leader paid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif a visit in Islamabad.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Parliamentary Party’s Senate performance.

Additionally, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ performance.

He complimented the Prime Minister on his outstanding efforts to bring Pakistan’s economy back on track and meet its economic objectives.

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SIFC Increases Direct Foreign Investment: Investment in the Energy Sector Rises by 120%

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The Special Investment Facilitation Council is intended to help Pakistan’s energy sector attract $585.6 million in direct foreign investment in 2024–2025. The amount invested at the same time previous year was $266.3 million.

This is a notable 120% rise, mostly due to investments in gas exploration, oil, and power. Such expansion indicates heightened investor confidence and emphasizes the development potential in important areas.

The State Bank reports that foreign investment in other vital industries has increased by 48% to $771 million.

This advancement is a blatant testament to SIFC’s efficient investment procedure and quick project execution.

The purpose of the Special Investment Facilitation Council is to establish Pakistan as an investment hub by aggressively promoting regional trade and investment in the energy sector and other critical industries.

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Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

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When compared to the same period last year, the data indicates that discos have decreased their losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The distribution businesses recorded losses of Rs239 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, a substantial decrease from the Rs308 billion losses sustained during the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the distribution businesses’ rate of recovery has improved. It has increased to 91% in the first quarter of this year from 84% in the same period last year, indicating success in revenue collection.

Regarding circular debt, the Power division observed a notable change. Last year, between July and October, the circular debt grew by Rs301 billion. Nonetheless, this year’s first four months saw a relatively modest increase in circular debt, totaling about Rs11 billion.

These enhancements show promising developments in the electricity sector’s financial health in Pakistan, where initiatives are being made to accelerate recovery rates and slow the expansion of circular debt.

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