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

War & deception
Updated 09 Mar, 2026

War & deception

While there is little doubt that Iran is involved in many of the retaliatory attacks, the facts raise suspicions that another player may be at work.
The witness box
09 Mar, 2026

The witness box

IT is often the fear of the courtroom and what may transpire therein that drives many victims of crime, especially...
Asylum applications
09 Mar, 2026

Asylum applications

BRITAIN’S tough immigration posture has again drawn attention to the sharp rise in asylum claims by Pakistani...
Petrol shock
Updated 08 Mar, 2026

Petrol shock

With oil markets bracing for more volatility, more price shocks are inevitable in the coming weeks.
Women’s Day
08 Mar, 2026

Women’s Day

IT is a simple truth: societies progress when women are able to shape them. Yet the struggle for equality has never...
Rescuing hockey
08 Mar, 2026

Rescuing hockey

PAKISTAN hockey is back to where it should be. Years of misses came to an end on Friday with a long-awaited...