Stocks recover 1,195 points amid support fund speculation

Published May 22, 2019
The rise was linked to reports that a market support fund is being considered for stabilisation of the Pakistan Stock Exchange by the government. — AFP/File
The rise was linked to reports that a market support fund is being considered for stabilisation of the Pakistan Stock Exchange by the government. — AFP/File

The benchmark KSE-100 index recovered 1,195.04 points or 3.57 per cent of its volume at the close of trading on Wednesday.

Trading opened at 33,618.29 points, with the market remaining mostly on an upward trajectory throughout the day.

The rise was linked to reports that a market support fund is being considered for stabilisation of the Pakistan Stock Exchange by the government. Additionally, state-owned institutions have been purchasing shares in the market, DawnNewsTV reported.

As investor confidence plummeted, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh met stockbrokers in Karachi on May 17 in and listened to their complaints for an hour and a half.

The brokers had asked the finance adviser to set up a market support fund reminiscent to that of 2008 to help rein in the continuous decline being seen on the trading floor.

Although brokers told media contacts that Shaikh had agreed to the idea of creating $20 billion fund, a PSX press release stated "it was also recommended that keeping in view the attractive valuations at the PSX a market support fund may be considered".

The value of the rupee rose against the dollar today, gaining 35 paisas to touch Rs151.9 in the interbank market and 50 paisas to reach Rs153 in the open market, DawnNewsTV reported.

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Token austerity
Updated 11 Mar, 2026

Token austerity

The ‘austerity’ measures are a ritualistic response to public anger rather than a sincere attempt to reform state spending.
Lebanon on fire
11 Mar, 2026

Lebanon on fire

WHILE the entire Gulf region has become an active warzone, repercussions of this conflict have spread to the...
Canine crisis
11 Mar, 2026

Canine crisis

KARACHI’S stray dog crisis requires urgent attention. Feral canines can cause serious and lasting physical and...
Iran’s new leader
Updated 10 Mar, 2026

Iran’s new leader

The position is the most powerful in Iran, bringing together clerical authority and political and ideological leadership.
National priorities
10 Mar, 2026

National priorities

EVEN as the country faces heightened risks of attacks from actual terrorists, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi...
Silenced march
10 Mar, 2026

Silenced march

ON the eve of International Women’s Day, Islamabad Police detained dozens of Aurat March activists who had ...