Business
Investors take profit after two days of gains | The Express Tribune
Benchmark KSE-100 index closes up 30 points at 36,265.12. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday reversed course after two days of notable gains as investors resorted to profit-booking at higher valuations, pulling the benchmark KSE-100 index down by over 1,500 points.
The market’s downturn was primarily triggered by selling in blue-chip shares from fertiliser, energy, banking and technology sectors. The battle for control between bulls and bears continued for almost throughout the day and eventually the latter prevailed.
In the morning, the market got off to a positive start, when it hit the intra-day high of 163,385 points. It remained in the black for only a brief period and dropped quickly. Following continuous fluctuations, the index reached its intra-day low of 161,159 more than an hour before the end of trading.
At close, the KSE-100 index registered a significant fall of 1,521.39 points, or 0.93%, and settled at 161,281.77.
In its review, Topline Securities said bears returned to the stock market as investors booked profits after a two-day rally. “The local bourse witnessed renewed bearish sentiment where investors opted for profit-taking. The KSE-100 index remained under pressure for most of the day, touching the intra-day low of 1,643 points before settling at 161,282, down 1,521 points (0.93%),” it said.
Blue-chip counters including Engro, Mari Petroleum, Bank AL Habib, MCB Bank and TRG Pakistan led the decline, which collectively eroded 543 points from the benchmark index.
Despite the negative close, the overall market activity stayed vibrant, with trading volumes rising to 899 million shares and traded value reaching Rs37 billion, Topline added.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL) reported that Tuesday saw a consolidation phase following two sessions of strong gains. On the KSE-100 index, 17 shares rose while 81 fell with Fauji Fertiliser Company (+1.77%), Pakistan Services (+9.62%) and DH Partners (+10%) contributing the most to index gains. Engro Holdings (-1.6%), Mari Petroleum (-2.06%) and Bank AL Habib (-2.32%) were the biggest index drags, it said.
AHL pointed out that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in a virtual speech at the Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference said that seafood exports could cross $2 billion in the next three to four years compared to the current exports of $500 million.
Among corporate news, Fauji Cement (-1.75%) and Kapco (-1.44%) will jointly acquire 84.06% of the total issued and paid-up capital of Attock Cement. “The upside is anticipated to resume from the current support zone, which is 160-162k,” AHL remarked.
Overall trading volumes decreased to 899.4 million shares compared with the previous tally of 949.4 million. The traded value of shares stood at Rs37.3 billion.
Shares of 479 companies were traded on the ready market, out of which 133 closed higher, 314 declined and 32 remained unchanged.
WorldCall Telecom led the volumes chart with trading in 78.9 million shares, losing Rs0.04 to close at Rs1.81. It was followed by Telecard Limited with 76.9 million shares, rising Rs0.81 to close at Rs12.68 and K-Electric with 71.6 million shares, gaining Rs0.23 to close at Rs5.52. Foreign investors were sellers of shares worth Rs717.8 million, according to NCCPL.
Business
Tech oversight: Sebi to form working group on exchange technology; aim to strengthen market resilience – The Times of India
Markets regulator Sebi is planning to constitute a working group to identify the next technological frontier for stock exchanges, Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Saturday, underlining the regulator’s focus on strengthening market infrastructure amid rapid technological change, PTI reported.The proposed group will examine how exchange technology should evolve over the next five to 10 years, benchmark global best practices and suggest new approaches to enhance market systems. “We are going to constitute a working group on how it is going to be our next technological frontier in our stock exchanges,” Pandey told reporters on the sidelines of the 11th International Convention of the Commodity & Capital Participants Association of India (CPAI).Pandey explained that the technological frontier refers to the use of cutting-edge tools to improve market oversight, operational efficiency and investor protection. He stressed that technological robustness remains critical for the regulator, adding that Sebi takes every exchange-related glitch seriously.While acknowledging that disruptions can occur in a fast-evolving technology environment, he said there is a need for stronger safeguards. To address technical flaws, exchanges are required to carry out detailed root-cause analyses and submit comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) along with corrective measures to the regulator.Responding to a query on the recent outage at the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), Pandey said Sebi follows a clearly defined process whenever a technical issue occurs at an exchange. This includes imposing strict penalties if the disruption crosses specified thresholds.He added that the regulator is also examining such incidents from a systemic perspective. “By identifying commonalities in these glitches, we aim to understand how we can better secure and strengthen our market technology,” Pandey said.
Business
Stocks Of Indian Company, With Just 2 Workers, Shot Up 55,000% Over Something That It NEVER Manufactured!
Last Updated:
RRP Semiconductor Ltd.’s spectacular stock rally is making headlines, but the company isn’t what its name suggests.
There is an ongoing probe on the shocking share surge. (Representative Image)
The stock market can be full of surprises, but few stories are as bizarre as this one. An Indian company, RRP Semiconductor Ltd., has seen its stock soar by a mind-blowing 55,000% in just 20 months, all this while reportedly having just two employees. What makes the story even stranger is that, despite its name, the company does not manufacture semiconductors at all.
The sheer absurdity of such a small company seeing this kind of surge makes it one of the most surreal episodes in recent Indian stock market history.
Trading Restricted By Stock Exchanges
Trading in RRP Semiconductor Ltd. has now been restricted by stock exchanges. On the BSE, the stock’s page displays the notice, “Trading Restricted – on account of Surveillance Measure.” RRP Semiconductor has been placed under Stage 1 of the Long-term Additional Surveillance Framework and Stage 0 of the GSM framework, reported CNBC-TV18.
A 55,000% Rally That Defies Fundamentals
The over 55,000% in the 20 months till December 17 is by far the biggest gain worldwide among companies with a market value above $1 billion, reported Bloomberg. This is despite the company posting negative revenue in its latest financial results.
The jaw-dropping stock market story is also doing the rounds on Instagram. According to a reel, “Rs 10,000 invested in it would have grown to Rs 55 lakhs during this window.”
Name Change Sparks Frenzy
Until 2024, RRP was a little-known real estate firm called GV Trading and Agencies. Things changed when Rajendra Chodankar, the founder of RRP, struck a deal to take over GD Trading and Agencies by repaying a Rs 8 crore loan owed to its founders. Chodankar renamed the company RRP Semiconductor. That single word, semiconductor, proved to be a powerful magnet for retail investors.
As the reel explains, “The moment the word ‘semiconductor’ entered this company’s name, retail investors went crazy.”
The timing was perfect. Global chipmakers like NVIDIA were soaring, AI was dominating headlines and India had no listed pure-play semiconductor manufacturing companies. For many investors, this stock seemed like a rare entry point into a hot global theme.
Hype, Rumours, Star Power
Fuel was added by unverified claims swirling on social media, including false rumours of cricket great Sachin Tendulkar being associated with the company and talk of 100 acres of land being allotted.
The real driver of the dizzying rally lay elsewhere. According to September shareholding data, Chodankar and a few of his close associates hold over 90% of the shares, leaving very little free float in the market.
Myths Busted
The reel also busts the biggest myths outright. “The talks of Sachin Tendulkar, 100 acres of land, all of that is completely fake.”
The episode has become a cautionary tale for investors caught in the fear of missing out. The narrator says. “NVIDIA is up, AI is everywhere and India has no semiconductor stocks. But this is a classic example of that desperation being exploited.”
SEBI Launches Investigation
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched a probe into the company. The market regulator is examining the sharp rise in RRP’s shares for possible wrongdoing.
Delhi, India, India
December 20, 2025, 14:50 IST
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New Delhi: Many bank customers are unsure whether bank branches are open or closed today, Saturday, December 20, 2025, leaving them confused about whether to step out for important work or postpone their visit. With different banking schedules on weekends and varying services available on Saturdays, people are keen to know if branches are operating today or if it’s better to wait until a regular weekday.
Bank Holiday Status Today: Are Branches Open on December 20, 2025?
Banks are open today, as December 20, 2025 falls on the third Saturday of the month. In India, bank branches remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, while they operate normally on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays. Since today is the third Saturday, customers can visit physical bank branches for their regular banking needs.
Banking Services Available Even on Holidays
Even if banks are closed on a holiday, you don’t have to worry about urgent transactions. Online banking and mobile banking apps continue to work, even on national holidays, unless the bank informs customers in advance about maintenance or technical issues. For cash withdrawals and payments, you can rely on ATMs, internet banking, fintech apps, and UPI services, which remain available round the clock.
December 2025 Bank Holidays: State-Wise List to Keep in Mind
Here’s a quick look at bank holidays falling in different states during December 2025, so you can plan your branch visits accordingly:
December 20, 2025 (Saturday): Banks remain closed in Sikkim on account of the Losoong and Namsoong festival.
December 22, 2025 (Monday): Banks are again closed in Sikkim to mark the Losoong and Namsoong festival.
December 24, 2025 (Wednesday): Banks will be shut in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya due to Christmas Eve.
December 25, 2025 (Thursday): Banks across India remain closed to celebrate Christmas.
December 26, 2025 (Friday): Banks are closed in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya as part of Christmas celebrations.
December 27, 2025 (Saturday): Banks remain closed in Nagaland on account of Christmas.
December 30, 2025 (Tuesday): Banks are closed in Meghalaya to observe the death anniversary of U Kiang Nangbah.
December 31, 2025 (Wednesday): Banks are shut in Mizoram and Manipur for New Year’s Eve and Imoinu Iratpa festival.
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