Stocks manage modest gains as foreign selling eases

Published January 31, 2024
This image shows activity on the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Wednesday. — Screenshot via PSX data portal
This image shows activity on the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Wednesday. — Screenshot via PSX data portal

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday managed modest gains, a day after losing 900 points as foreign selling eased.

On Tuesday, the stock market had posted another major dec­line of 1.5 per cent due to investor concerns over political noise and security unrest in the country. It was the fourth consecutive drop on the market, with the KSE-100 index having lost nearly 3,000 points since last Wednesday.

Today, the KSE-100 index gained 426.48, or 0.69 per cent, to stand at 62,268.22 from the previous close of 61,841.74. The index closed at 61,979.18, up by 137.44, from the previous close of 61,841.74.

Mohammed Sohail, chief executive of Topline Securities, cited “ease in foreign selling” as the primary reason for market rebound.

Tahir Abbas, head of research at Arif Habib Limited, said that market remained bullish as the foreign-selling witnessed in the last three to four days eased.

He added that the recent correction made the valuations more attractive, coupled with “spectacular results announcement by companies” had enticed investors.

Khaldoon bin Latif, chief executive of Alfalah Asset Management Limited, said that a leading global exchange-traded fund (ETF) had “announced the scheduled liquidation of multiple ETFs”, including in Pakistan.

An ETF is a bundle of assets that can be traded on the stock market. Traded on the exchange like an ordinary stock, ETFs let investors take exposure to a basket of companies while combining high returns of direct stock investing with the diversified base offered by mutual funds.

Latif attributed the fall in capital markets over the last few days due to “this outflow from the ETF”.

“With the ETF liquidation almost complete, the market has rebounded as corporate earnings and energy reforms come back into the forefront,” he said.

“With strong earnings growth expected in multiple sectors, especially the banks, market is expected to recover going forward,” he added.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...