Business
Massive sell-off sends PSX into trading halt | The Express Tribune
KSE-100 tumbles over 7,000 points at open amid oil price shock and policy uncertainty
A stock broker reacts while monitoring the market on the electronic board displaying share prices during trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, in Karachi on July 3, 2023. Photo: Reuters/ File
KARACHI:
Heavy selling gripped Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday as the benchmark KSE-100 index plunged at the start of trading, falling by 7,322 points, or 6.21% shortly after the market opened. The sharp decline triggered widespread panic among investors and intensified pressure across major sectors.
According to market data recorded at 12:44 pm, the KSE-100 index was standing at 146,620.56 points, reflecting a loss of 10,995.24 , or 6.98%, compared with the previous session’s close.
In response to the steep fall, the PSX issued a market halt notice, stating that a trading suspension had been activated after the KSE-30 index dropped by 5% from its previous closing level. As per PSX regulations, trading across all equity markets was temporarily halted and all outstanding orders in the system were automatically cancelled. The exchange further informed participants that trading would resume according to the prescribed reopening schedule following the halt.
Market sentiment remained fragile amid growing uncertainty surrounding the upcoming monetary policy decision. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision later today, and concerns over a potential rate hike have added to investor nervousness.
Also read: Shares skid as oil surge threatens inflation shock
This uncertainty, combined with a sharp increase in global oil prices, fuelled widespread selling across the market, ultimately leading to the trading halt.
KTrade Securities equity trader Ahmed Sheraz told The Express Tribune that the unprecedented surge in oil prices from around 83/bbl to nearly $119/bbl — had already weighed heavily on investor sentiment. Besides, hopes of a potential de-escalation failed to materialise as hostilities intensified, further exacerbated by strikes on oil tankers in the region, he commented.
“For Pakistan, persistently higher oil prices could carry significant economic repercussions, like current account deficit, pressure on Pakistani rupee, inflation and including the risk of slower growth.”
This concern is further compounded by the possibility of an interest rate hike, with the MPC set to announce its decision later today (Monday). Amid this increasingly uncertain backdrop, investor anxiety triggered broad-based selling across the market, ultimately leading to a trading halt today, Sheraz added.
Business
India’s FDI inflow may cross $90 billion in FY26, says DPIIT secretary – The Times of India
India’s total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are likely to cross $90 billion in 2025-26 after already surpassing $88 billion during April-February, a top government official said on Thursday.DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the government had undertaken a series of policy measures to attract foreign investments into the country, PTI reported.He said that during April-February 2025-26, inflows had crossed $88 billion and were “hopefully crossing $90 billion” for the full fiscal year.According to Bhatia, reform measures, free trade agreements and India’s fast-growing economy are helping the country attract strong investment flows.This reflects continued momentum in foreign investment inflows amid the government’s push to improve ease of doing business and expand global trade linkages.
Business
Oil jumps to highest price since 2022 after report Trump to be briefed on new Iran options
“It does seem as though escalation in the war is back on the table, be it in the guise of the US continuing its blockade in Iran, but also reports and rumours that in order to get out of this bind, Iran may start to strike again,” said Naveen Das, senior oil analyst at Kpler.
Business
Gold, silver price prediction: Will gold head down to Rs 1.40 lakh/10 grams & silver hit Rs 2.20 lakh/kg? – The Times of India
Gold and silver price prediction today: Gold and silver are exhibiting a slightly bearish bias, according to Abhilash Koikkara, Head – Forex & Commodities, Nuvama Professional Clients Group.
MCX Gold Price Outlook
MCX Gold, on the weekly timeframe, has retreated from its recent highs and remained under selling pressure over the past week. From a technical standpoint, prices have faced resistance at a significant trendline, with the daily chart now forming a sequence of lower lows, a classically bearish pattern. A sustained breakout above the trendline, however, could shift sentiment and invite fresh upside. For now, the intermediate trend remains rangebound to negative, reflecting a broader corrective structure, with a firm break below key support potentially accelerating the downside.Looking ahead to the coming week, the region around the weekly low of 140,000 is anticipated to emerge as a pivotal support zone, highlighting its importance from a technical perspective. As the ongoing correction runs its course, prices are expected to test this level making any short-term uptick a potential opportunity for fresh short positions rather than a cause for bullish conviction.Conversely, gold faces a notable resistance wall around the recent peak of 155,500 in the near term. Should prices manage a convincing breakout above this threshold, it would effectively invalidate the current bearish momentum and pave the way for a fresh upside move. A consistent hold above this level, moreover, would offer stronger confirmation that the corrective phase has run its course, and bullish sentiment has reclaimed control.To summarize, gold’s overall bias remains tilted to the downside, supported by a determined negative trend that keeps further losses on the table. The intermediate bearish framework is expected to stay intact so long as prices fail to reclaim the key resistance threshold of 155,500. With momentum indicators reinforcing the bearish case and market sentiment echoing the downside narrative, the metal looks poised to sustain its corrective momentum and press lower in the near term.
MCX Gold Trading Strategy
- CMP: 149,000
- Target: 140,000
- Stoploss: 155,500
MCX Silver Price Outlook
From a weekly standpoint, silver’s price action reflects a sideways to bearish bias, as the silver faces conflict at trendline resistance. The second straight week of negative closes reinforces the case for an intermediate bearish period taking hold. In this setting, we expect traders would be well-served to align their positions with the dominant trend while placing stop-loss levels around the prior weekly highs to effectively manage downside risk.The market opened the week on a weak footing, with prices trading below the 30-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), a sign that the negative bias remains in force. The bearish outlook is likely to persist as long as prices stay capped under key weekly resistance levels. Immediate support and the near-term target converge around the recent swing lows at 220,000, and a decisive close below this level could further deepen bearish bias. In the interim, any short-term bounce back is expected to be treated as opportunities to sell.To the upside, silver appears poised to challenge the trendline resistance in the area of 255,000 in the coming sessions. If the prices manage a convincing and sustained close above this threshold, it will weaken the ongoing bearish trend, a view currently reinforced by momentum indicators. On balance, the bearish structure is likely to remain dominant as long as 255,000 continues to act as a ceiling, paving the way for additional downside corrections ahead.
MCX Silver Trading Strategy
- CMP: 240,500
- Target: 220,000
- Stoploss: 255,000
(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
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