The stock market extended its positive momentum on Tuesday, driven by heightened investor optimism fuelled by expectations of an additional rate cut by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and strong corporate earnings reports.
Trading session saw the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index rise 969.23 points, or 0.84%, to reach an intraday high of 115,773.39. The index touched a low of 115,074.29 during the session.
“Market is rising in anticipation of another rate cut and positive corporate results,” said Samiullah Tariq, Head of Research at Pak-Kuwait Investment Company, highlighting the renewed optimism among market participants.
With inflation showing a sharp decline, market participants are anticipating a potential rate cut in the SBP first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of 2025, scheduled for January 27.
Inflation dropped to 1.8% year-on-year for the week ending January 9, the lowest level since October 2014, further fuelling hopes of accommodative monetary policy.
Adding to the positive sentiment, the World Bank (WB) pledged $40 billion in funding for Pakistan under its 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF).
According to sources in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, $20 billion will be provided through the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), while an additional $20 billion will come from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Specific goals include increasing tax revenue to 15% of GDP, adding 10 Gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, providing quality education to 12 million students, and healthcare services to 50 million people.
In line with efforts to stabilise the economy, the federal cabinet approved revised agreements with 14 Independent Power Producers (IPPs), resulting in projected savings of Rs1.4 trillion over the agreement durations. Annual savings of Rs137 billion are expected, benefiting power consumers burdened by high electricity tariffs.
The revised agreements, which include reductions in profit and costs totaling Rs802 billion, aim to reduce energy costs and ease financial strain on consumers. The government initiated renegotiations with IPPs late last year as part of broader efforts to stabilise the economy.
Further reinforcing its economic recovery plan, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced plans to debut yuan-denominated Panda bonds to tap into the Chinese capital market.
Speaking to Bloomberg Television on the sidelines of the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, the minister revealed Pakistan’s aim to raise $200 million to $250 million from Chinese investors within the next six to nine months.
“We have been remiss as a country not to tap it previously,” Aurangzeb said, adding that China International Capital Corporation is advising Islamabad on the issuance.
The KSE-100 Index gained 574.11 points, or 0.5%, on Monday to close at 114,804.17, driven by strong valuations and a reduction in political noise. The day’s trading saw the index peak at 115,044.79, while dipping to 113,836.61 during intraday activity.