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PSX rebounds last week despite investors sell-offs – Pakistan Observer

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experienced initial pressure from investor sell-offs during the past week rebounded as positive economic developments unfolded.

Trading began with a downturn on Monday, as the KSE-100 index fell by over 280 points, driven by global equity slumps and domestic political instability. However, Tuesday saw a surge of over 650 points, fuelled by a remittance boost, as remittances rose 40% year-on-year to $2.9 billion in August 2024. The market experienced volatility on Wednesday, dropping 634 points amid political uncertainty, but optimism returned on Thursday as expectations of further SBP policy rate cuts drove the index up by over 350 points.

Friday’s session was marked by investor enthusiasm following the SBP’s rate cut announcement and the IMF board meeting date confirmation, pushing the KSE-100 index up by over 300 points. The PSX ended the week at 79,333 points, marking a 435-point, or 0.55%, increase week-on-week (WoW).

JS Global analyst Wadee Zaman highlighted that the KSE-100 briefly crossed the 80,000-point threshold but was unable to sustain it due to end-of-week selling pressure. WoW, the index rose by 0.6%. Despite these gains, foreign investors remained net sellers, with the Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) posting a net outflow of $8.2 million during the week.

A key development emerged with the announcement that the IMF Executive Board is scheduled to meet in September 2024 to approve the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Additionally, the Federal Board of Revenue hinted at a Rs650 billion mini-budget, potentially raising withholding tax on properties and GST on tractors, alongside stricter measures against tax non-filers.

SBP’s foreign reserves increased to $9.5 billion as of September 5, 2024, the highest in 26 months. Remittances for August 2024 were just shy of $3 billion, marking the fourth consecutive month of remittances around this level. Moreover, four-wheeler sales in August 2024 rose by 13% year-on-year, showing mixed results across companies.

Arif Habib Limited (AHL) reported that the stock market faced initial pressure from investor sell-offs but benefited from several positive economic factors, including SBP’s continued easing cycle, the IMF’s progress, and a rise in SBP reserves. The Pakistani rupee appreciated by 0.15% against the US dollar, closing at Rs278.2. The market ended the week at 79,333 points, recording a 435-point (0.55%) increase WoW.

Sector-wise, the positive contributors were fertiliser (161 points), cement (159 points), exploration and production (92 points), leather (74 points), and pharmaceuticals (54 points). Meanwhile, the commercial banking sector (119 points), automobiles (115 points), and power generation (80 points) saw negative performance.

Foreign investors sold shares worth $7.5 million during the week, compared to last week’s net selling of $6.7 million.

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Pakistan

Toyota Yaris 1.3 CVT three years easy installment deal by Meezan Bank [Sept 2024] – Pakistan Observer

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KARACHI – A masterful blend of refined elegance, imposing looks and elevated performance has helped Toyota Yaris to grab a significant share in Pakistani market which was earlier ruled by Honda City in this niche before the Yaris’ launching.

Besides carrying modern aesthetics, it features MID system that ensures convenience when you drive, offering door open and close alerts, Eco wallet and fuel economy records, and comprehensive drive information at your fingertips

Toyota Yaris is a testament to its engineering excellence as it delivers exhilarating driving experiences. It is available in two powerful engine formations: 1.3L NR and 1.5L NR. The smooth shifting of gears provides excellent driving performance and fuel efficiency.

The hatchback is equipped with three airbags to ensure the safety of the riders.

Toyota Yaris Variants in Pakistan

The variants of Toyota Yaris include 1.3 GLI MT, 1.3 GLI CVT, 1.3 ATIV MT, 1.3 ATIV CVT, 1.5 ATIV X CVT – Beige interior and 1.5 ATIV X CVT – Black interior.

Toyota Yaris 1.3 GLI CVT Price in Pakistan

The ex-factory price of Toyota Yaris 1.3 GLI CVT stands at Rs4,760,000 without any change as of September 2024.

Toyota Yaris 1.3 GLI CVT Easy Installment Plan by Meezan Bank

Various banks in Pakistan offers installment plans for vehicles. Here we have selected Meezan Bank to calculate the installment deal offered by it for Toyota Yaris 1.3 GLI CVT with 30% advance payment.

Under the 36-month installment plan, the per month rent for the vehicle will be Rs136,294.

Toyota Yaris 1.3 GLI CVT

Price of Vehicle                 Rs. 4,760,000

Upfront Payment

Residual Value                  5%

Security Deposit               Rs. 1,428,000 (30%)

Processing Fee                  Rs. 3,100

Total Upfront                     Rs. 1,431,100

MONTHLY PAYMENT

Number of months           36

Rent per month                Rs. 136,294

 

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Pakistan

US Fed slashes rates by 50 basis points in first easing since 2020

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US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell responds to a question from David Rubenstein (not pictured) during an on-stage discussion at a meeting of The Economic Club of Washington, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC, February 7, 2023. — Reuters

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half of a percentage point on Wednesday, kicking off what is expected to be a steady easing of monetary policy with a larger-than-usual reduction in borrowing costs that followed growing unease about the health of the job market.

The Fed’s decision will affect the rates at which commercial banks lend to consumers and businesses, bringing down the cost of borrowing on everything from mortgages to credit cards.

The news will likely be well-received by Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who has looked to highlight President Joe Biden’s economic record in her race against Donald Trump.

Policymakers voted 11-to-1 in favour of lowering the US central bank’s benchmark rate to between 4.75% and 5%, the Fed announced in a statement.

The key holdout was Fed governor Michelle Bowman, who supported a more conventional quarter-point cut.

Fed ‘gained greater confidence’

The Fed said its rate-setting committee “has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2%, and judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance.”

The bank has a dual mandate from Congress to act independently to tackle both inflation and employment.

Analysts were expecting the Fed to cut rates on Wednesday, as inflation eases toward the bank’s long-term target of two percent, and the labour market continues to cool in the surprisingly resilient post-Covid economy.

But they were highly uncertain about the size of the move, with some anticipating a small cut of a quarter of a percentage point, and others predicting a more significant half-point cut, which carries a greater risk of reigniting inflation.

In updated economic forecasts published alongside the Fed’s rate decision, policymakers’ median forecasts pointed to an unemployment rate of 4.4%, on average, in the fourth quarter of this year, up from 4% in the last update in June.

They also pencilled in an annual headline inflation rate of 2.3 percent, slightly lower than in June.

The decision to cut more sharply, to begin with, caught some analysts by surprise.

“In our base case, the Fed cuts 25bp (basis points) but signals 100bp of cuts this year with the median 2024 ‘dot'”, economists at Citi wrote in an investor note published ahead of the rate decision.

Election stakes

The Fed’s mandate gives it the independence to set monetary policy solely based on economic data.

But its decision will likely have political ramifications, given the importance of inflation and the cost of living to US consumers.

Americans have consistently said both are a top concern ahead of the election.

Trump has repeatedly criticised Fed Chair Powell, who he first appointed to run the Fed, and has suggested that its decisions are political — accusations the US central bank has strongly refuted.

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Pakistan

Currency exchange rates in Pakistan today – September 18, 2024 – Pakistan Observer

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Your source for latest Pakistan, world news. Stay updated on politics, business, sports, lifestyle, CPEC, and breaking news. Accurate, timely, and comprehensive coverage.

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Pakistan

Solar Panel 5-Years Installment Plan in Pakistan Sep 2024 – Pakistan Observer

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Your source for latest Pakistan, world news. Stay updated on politics, business, sports, lifestyle, CPEC, and breaking news. Accurate, timely, and comprehensive coverage.

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