The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened Friday’s session on a bearish note, with the KSE-100 Index falling over 400 points in early trading. However, by midday, the index managed to recover most of the losses, hovering at 119,140.92 points, down just 12.12 points or 0.01%.
Despite the rebound, the market remained under pressure amid growing uncertainty surrounding the upcoming federal budget, particularly regarding the IMF-mandated tax reforms.
Key Sectoral Impact
Heavy selling pressure was observed in several index-heavy sectors, including:
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Automobile assemblers
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Commercial banks
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Oil and gas exploration
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Oil marketing companies (OMCs)
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Power generation and distribution
Notable stocks trading in red included HUBCO, PSO, SSGC, MARI, OGDC, PPL, POL, UBL, and NBP.
On Thursday, the benchmark index had already lost 778 points (0.65%), closing at 119,153, as investors remained cautious ahead of key fiscal decisions.
Investor Sentiment & Budget Worries
Analysts attribute the market’s nervousness to concerns over possible new taxes in the upcoming federal budget, which is reportedly being drafted under the guidance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Uncertainty over the government’s economic roadmap and fears of burdensome fiscal tightening have led investors to cut risk exposure, driving the sell-off in major sectors.
Global Market Overview
Meanwhile, Asian shares posted modest gains on Friday. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index (excluding Japan) rose 0.1%, although it remained down 0.4% for the week—its first weekly loss after five consecutive weeks of gains.
In the U.S., Treasury markets found support after longer-duration bonds appeared attractively priced, despite growing worries about fiscal sustainability. The House of Representatives narrowly passed a tax bill, adding to concerns about the rising U.S. debt, which now stands at $36.2 trillion, with projections of a $3.8 trillion increase over the next decade.
Moody’s recently downgraded the U.S. credit rating, further pressuring yields. Still, 30-year U.S. Treasury yields edged down to 5.037%, from a recent 19-month high.
Conclusion
While the KSE-100 Index showed some resilience by paring early losses, market sentiment remains fragile amid domestic budget uncertainty and global financial headwinds. Investors are expected to stay cautious until more clarity emerges regarding fiscal policy, taxation, and macroeconomic direction in the upcoming federal budget.