Showing posts with label geopolitical tension. Show all posts
Showing posts with label geopolitical tension. Show all posts

Friday, 13 June 2025

PSX benchmark index closes positive despite geopolitical tension

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish momentum during first half of the week. The announcement of Federal Budget was well-received by investors and perceived as broadly positive across most sectors. Optimism was further supported by expectations of a potential rate cut in the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee meeting scheduled for Jun 16, 2025. The market reached a new all-time high on Wednesday, closing at 124,353 points. However, this momentum waned towards the end of the week due to rising geopolitical tensions following Israel's attack on Iran. Still the benchmark Index closed the week at 122,144 points, up 0.4%WoW.

The daily average traded volume increased by 37.3%WoW to 907 million shares, up from 660 million shares in the earlier week.

Workers’ remittances were reported at US$3.7 billion for the month of May 20225.

Auto sales for May 2025 rose to 16,941 units, up 19%YoY, driven by higher Passenger Cars and LCVs sales.

Foreign exchange reserves held by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by US$167 million, ending the week at US$11.7 billion as of Jun 06, 2025.

PKR depreciated by 0.28%WoW against the greenback.

Major news flow during the week included: 1) Federal Budget FY26 targets 4.2% real GDP growth, 2) current account deficit projects US$2.1 billion, 3) carbon levy imposed on POL products, 4) tax rate cuts for salaried class, and 5) Pakistan secures US$700 million loan for Reko Diq project.

Woollen, Textile Spinning, Textile Weaving, Glass & Ceramics and Modarabas were amongst the top performing sectors, while Refinery, Vanaspati & Allied Industries, Technologies & Communication, Transport, and Cable & Electrical Goods were the laggards.

Major selling was recorded by Foreigners with a net sell of US$7.4 million, Banks/ DFI absorbed most of the selling with a net buy of US$8.0 million.

Top performing scrips of the week were: PKGP, BNWM, GHGL, KTML, and MLCF, while top laggards included: POML, FCEPL, KEL, CNERGY, and HUMNL.

According to Pakistan’s largest brokerage house, AKD Securities, the market is expected to remain positive in the coming weeks, with federal budget being broadly positive or neutral across most sectors, along with room for rate cut during CY25.

The benchmark index is anticipated to sustain its upward trajectory, primarily driven by strong earnings in Fertilizers, sustained ROEs in Banks, and improving cash flows of E&Ps and OMCs, benefiting from falling interest rates and economic stability.

Top picks of the brokerage house include: OGDC, PPL, PSO, FFC, ENGROH, MEBL, MCB, HBL, LUCK, FCCL, INDU, and SYS.

Friday, 5 August 2022

Chinese Foreign Minister scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today

Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today (Saturday) afternoon to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues with Bangladesh leadership. Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque will receive the Chinese Foreign Minister.

According to reports, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka shared his program schedule in detail till the time till late evening.

Minister Wang is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday morning apart from holding a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen the same day.

“This is going to be different from other bilateral visits. I can’t tell you in details at this moment as many things are still under last minute discussion,” another official familiar with the development told, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader will host a dinner in honour of the Chinese Foreign Minister on Satuarday, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.

Foreign Minister Momen is expected to return home Saturday night from Cambodia after attending the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting.

Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh and China are likely to sign multiple MoUs and agreements during Wang’s visit.

He said the list is not finalized yet and it can be five-seven – new and renewal including cooperation on the disaster management and cultural exchange fronts.

Shahriar assured that the planned MoUs and agreements will be aligned with Bangladesh’s cultural, social and economic policy though the list is not finalized yet.

The state minister said the relationship between Bangladesh and China is “deep and wide” and the two countries will discuss areas of future cooperation.

Responding to a question, the state minister said Bangladesh will seek a stronger role from the Chinese government for early repatriation of the Rohingyas.

In January 2017, Wang had an hour-long stopover in Dhaka. This time, he is coming for a longer period.

The visit is taking place amid growing geopolitical tensions with impact on developing countries in the region while experts suggest Bangladesh to ensure a strategic balance amid these tensions.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said taking a new loan from China will not be a part of their agenda during the Chinese foreign minister’s Bangladesh visit.

“This time, the issue of taking loan afresh isn’t there at least,” he said on Wednesday when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh is going to take a loan from China again.

Asked what message this visit carries amid the crisis in various parts of the world, the foreign secretary said it will be known once the Chinese foreign minister comes. “We are working on the visit. Things are yet to be finalized.”

He reiterated that the visit is part of the Chinese side’s routine visit to the region and also it is an opportunity to review the existing engagements between the two countries.