Karachi: Range-bound trading was experienced in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in the first half of Tuesday’s session, where KSE-100 Index fluctuated on either side amid mixed investor sentiments.
The KSE-100 Index at 12:22 pm was at 118,548.65 points, a modest gain of 165.27 points or 0.14%, following a buoyant upsurge of over 1,000 points on Monday.
The cautious trading pattern also illustrates an atmosphere laced with uncertainty at regional and global levels. At the local level, investor confidence is somewhat buoyed by the participation of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in the ongoing IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2025 in Washington.
Aurangzeb met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva yesterday, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to its economic reform program. This was after the approval of a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) in September 2024 meant to stabilize Pakistan's economy.
Across the globe, Asian stock markets were having a tough time trying to remain stable after a mammoth sell-off in U.S. assets. A public quarrel between President Donald Trump and Jerome Powell brought turbulence into the market regarding Fed interest rate policy and thus dented the confidence of the investors. The fallout had a negative impact on the U.S. equities and the dollar, which only worsened market sentiment.
Analysts believe regional funds might be rerouting investments into Asian equities, offering mild support; however, concerns for growth arising from tariffs are still weighing on sentiment. The PSX, in this regard, reflects the global jitters, as it seems investors are adopting a wait-and-see attitude in anticipation of more explicit policy signals.
[Source Credit: Business Recorder]
