Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Opens with Modest Gains Amid Cautious Optimism

📅 Date: March 25, 2025
📍 Morning Market Update

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened today on a slightly positive note, attempting to recover from Monday’s steep losses. As of 12:09 PM, the benchmark KSE-100 Index had gained 202.98 points, reaching 116,642.60, reflecting a 0.17% increase. While investors welcomed buying opportunities after yesterday’s correction, the market continues to remain cautious due to uncertainties surrounding the IMF program negotiations and fluctuating global oil prices.

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🔁 Previous Session Recap – March 24, 2025

The KSE-100 Index tumbled by 2,002.56 points or 1.69%, closing at 116,439.62. This was one of the sharpest single-day declines in recent weeks and came amid concerns over policy disagreements with the IMF regarding taxation and energy sector reforms.

🔸 Key Factors Behind the Fall:

• Profit-taking by both institutional and retail investors.
• Concerns over IMF’s rejection of tax relief on property and power subsidies.
• Weak performance from oil & gas and cement sectors, due to global and domestic pressures.
• Decrease in investor risk appetite after several bullish sessions.

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🔢 Key Index Performance (as of 12:09 PM):

• KSE-100 Index: 116,642.60 (+202.98 points | +0.17%)
• KSE All Share Index: 72,519.25 (+152.45 points | +0.21%)
• KSE-30 Index: 35,800.33 (+97.29 points | +0.27%)
• KMI-30 Index: 180,537.56 (+883.33 points | +0.49%)

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📊 Market Activity So Far:

• Total Volume Traded: 167.23 million shares
• Total Value Traded: PKR 13.09 billion
• Number of Trades: 133,576

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🏆 Top Gainers:

1. Atlas Honda Ltd (ATLH): PKR 933.51 ▲ +8.44
2. Sazgar Engineering (SAZEW): PKR 1,081.80 ▲ +5.91
3. Ghandhara Ind. (GHNI): PKR 727.50 ▲ +4.92

📉 Top Losers:

1. Ghandhara Nissan Ltd (GHNL): PKR 460.62 ▼ -5.13
2. Hinopak Motor (HINOON): PKR 369.00 ▼ -3.50
3. Honda Atlas Cars (HCAR): PKR 290.50 ▼ -2.46

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🌐 Market Insights & Economic Context:

🔹 IMF Talks Under Spotlight:

Recent reports suggest the IMF has flagged issues with Pakistan’s adjustments in property-related taxes and electricity subsidies. The uncertainty has kept market sentiment in check, particularly in sectors that are directly influenced by fiscal changes, like real estate, energy, and cement.

🔹 Global Oil Prices Impact:

The decline in international crude oil prices is pressuring local oil and gas stocks such as OGDC, PPL, and MARI, which are heavily weighted in the index.

🔹 Sector Highlights:

• Automobile Assemblers are showing resilience with notable gains in Atlas Honda and Sazgar Engineering.
• Cement stocks continue to be under pressure due to higher royalty concerns in KPK.
• Banks are showing a mixed trend as investors reassess exposure following SBP’s interest rate hold.

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🔮 Outlook for the Rest of the Day:

While the market has opened in the green, it is likely to remain volatile during the rest of the session. Investors may look for direction from:

• Government responses to IMF’s objections,
• Any new updates on international oil markets, and
• Anticipated corporate earnings that could influence investor confidence.

🔧 Key Technical Levels:

• Immediate Support: 116,000
• Resistance Level: 117,300 – 117,800

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📢 Stay updated with real-time PSX news, market commentary, and economic insights at DailyForex.pk – your go-to source for financial updates in Pakistan.