PSX: KSE-100 sheds over 700 points

The KSE-100 Index experienced a notable decline of over 700 points on Friday, reflecting investor caution due to reports of increased US troop deployment and carrier presence in the Middle East. By noon, the benchmark index was trading at 167,933.14, marking a loss of 703.71 points or 0.42%. Key sectors such as automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration, OMCs, and power generation were notably affected.

Major index constituents like ARL, HUBCO, PSO, SSGC, HBL, NBP, and UBL were among the decliners. Profit-taking and widespread selling across the financial sector, exploration and production companies, cement producers, and oil marketers contributed to the sharp fall of the PSX. The index had initially rallied above 170,000 points but succumbed to elevated crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions, eroding early gains.

Internationally, Asian equities faced volatility due to fluctuating bond and currency markets preceding crucial US employment data, while escalating military activity in the Gulf bolstered oil prices. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan declined by 0.5% and targeted a weekly dip of 1.7%, with Japan's Nikkei down by 0.7% but poised for a weekly rise of 3.1%.

China's mainland markets were on holiday through the next Wednesday. Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures experienced slight gains following a drop in Treasury yields, which bolstered Wall Street with a late rally. The focus remains on the US nonfarm payrolls announcement later in the day, with expectations of a 90,000 job increase in September and a steady unemployment rate of 4.1%.

Analysts are also closely monitoring hourly wage reports following the ISM survey, which indicated a significant rise in prices paid, suggesting persisting cost pressures.