PSX: stocks surge, KSE-100 gains over 2%
Buying returned at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) after US President Donald Trump said US military action against Iran is not necessary “at this point”, with the benchmark KSE-100 gaining over 2% points during the opening hours of trading on Tuesday. At 10:50am, the benchmark index was hovering at 177,374.56, up 3,487.88 points or 2.01%. Buying was observed in key sectors, including automobile…
Investors returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump indicated US military action against Iran is not needed "at this point." The KSE-100, the nation's benchmark index, surged over 2% during the opening hours, with the index at 177,374.56 points. This represented a gain of 3,487.88 points, or 2.01%.
Trading was observed in sectors like automobiles, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration firms, OMCs, and power generation. Notably, index-weighted stocks, including MARI, OGDC, PPL, PSO, HUBCO, HBL, MCB, MEBL, and UBL, closed in the green. The PSX achieved its strongest weekly rally in nearly six months, with the KSE-100 surging 7,477.44 points, or 4.5% week-on-week, closing at 173,886.69 points.
Internationally, Asian stocks advanced as oil prices declined following Trump's statement on avoiding additional military strikes against Iran, lifting market sentiment ahead of US inflation data. Brent crude futures traded near their lowest levels since early September, below $100 per barrel, as investors awaited possible US-Iran talks.
The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has heightened global inflation concerns, prompting central banks to raise interest rates. While optimism exists regarding the conflict's resolution, significant gaps still exist between diplomacy and a lasting peace. Market strategist Nick Twidale noted the developments brought hope, but a lasting peace agreement still appears distant.
Globally, emerging markets responded positively, with South Korea's KOSPI rising over 5% and Japan's Nikkei gaining around 3%. MSCI's Asia-Pacific broad index climbed 1.5%, moving away from its recent seven-month low. Earlier this week, the S&P 500 recorded its biggest one-day gain since April, closing up 2.35%, while the Nasdaq surged 2.7%, marking its best day in over four months.
Upcoming earnings reports from tech firms like CoreWeave may further test market sentiment, as investors remain concerned about the financial implications of AI advancements.
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