Bullish momentum seen at PSX as shares gain 700 points on falling bond yields

Published October 3, 2024
Upward trajectory witnessed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday — PSX data portal
Upward trajectory witnessed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday — PSX data portal

Bulls dominated the trade floor at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday as shares gained more than 700 points, which analysts attributed to falling bond yields.

The benchmark KSE-100 index climbed 836.06 points, or 1.02 per cent, to stand at 82,803.06 points from the previous close of 81,967.00 points at 1:24pm. Finally, the index closed at 82,721.76, up by 754.76 points or 0.92pc, from the previous close.

Raza Jafri, chief executive of EFG Hermes Pakistan, said, “Lower bond yields are making equities more attractive especially high dividend yielding and highly leveraged stocks.”

He added that “a significant chunk of foreign supply has also been absorbed, which is giving more confidence to buyers”.

Mohammed Sohail, chief executive of Topline Securities, also attributed the bullish momentum to falling yields in the money market, which “generated renewed buying from investors”.

Sana Tawfik, head of research at Arif Habib Limited, noted a “couple of reasons” behind the trajectory. She highlighted that the rally continued due to “improving liquidity in the market”.

Furthermore, she noted that while the T-bills auction yesterday had bids of Rs860bn, the government had raised Rs244bn against a target of Rs250bn.

“Apart from that, less-than-expected inflation number of 6.9pc has also created a market sentiment about a rate cut,” she added.

The government had rejected all bids for three-month treasury bills but raised money close to the target and much below the maturity amount at the auction held on Wednesday.

Experts said the local money market was now flush with surplus liquidity after the State Bank of Pakistan provided Rs2.7 trillion in profit to the government, proving a game changer for the banking industry, which relies entirely on risk-free and high-yielding government securities.

After a long gap, the rejection of all bills at the Sept 18 auction caused yields to fall substantially.

Stock had witnessed a rally yesterday as well, supported by growing expectations of another policy rate cut despite unending aggressive selling by foreign inves­tors on rising political tensions.

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

Opinion

Editorial

Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

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

Media strangulation

AEMEND, in a recent statement, has only now drawn attention to the reality that has plagued Pakistani media for a...
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...
Tax amendments
Updated 20 Dec, 2024

Tax amendments

Bureaucracy gimmicks have not produced results, will not do so in the future.
Cricket breakthrough
20 Dec, 2024

Cricket breakthrough

IT had been made clear to Pakistan that a Champions Trophy without India was not even a distant possibility, even if...
Troubled waters
20 Dec, 2024

Troubled waters

LURCHING from one crisis to the next, the Pakistani state has been consistent in failing its vulnerable citizens....