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Stocks shrug off political noise, add 231 points

Share prices oscillated within a short range on Monday owing to the political upheaval prevailing in the country. Arif Habib Ltd said the benchmark KSE-100 index managed to close the trading session on the higher side even though it opened in the negative zone. Investors’ engagement remained modest as they awaited political clarity. Analyst Ahsan Mehanti said investors took into account the

CORPORATE WINDOW: Depressed mood post protests

With less than a month to present the next fiscal year’s budget, the government is contemplating holding meetings of the Annual Plan Coordination Committee and the National Economic Council on May 23 and June 1, respectively, to finalise over Rs900bn worth of federal Public Sector Develop­ment Programme (PSDP). And even before these events, representing both the Centre and its federating units,

Key deliberations scheduled to finalise budget

With less than a month to present the next fiscal year’s budget, the government is contemplating holding meetings of the Annual Plan Coordination Committee and the National Economic Council on May 23 and June 1, respectively, to finalise over Rs900bn worth of federal Public Sector Develop­ment Programme (PSDP). And even before these events, representing both the Centre and its federating units,

IMF denies asking Pakistan to raise $8bn in fresh financing

Pakistan’s external financing requirements have not been changed in talks with the International Monetary Fund over bailout funds, the IMF resident representative in Pakistan said, denying local media reports that the Fund was seeking fresh financing. “There is no truth to reports that the IMF is asking Pakistan to raise $8 billion in fresh financing,” Esther Prez Ruiz said in a text message se

Oil steady as tight supplies compete with economic concerns

Oil prices were steady on Monday as bullish sentiment about tightening supplies from OPEC+ cuts and a resumption in US buying for reserves competed with concerns about fuel demand in the top global oil consumers, the United States (US) and China. Brent crude futures fell 2 cents to $73.91 a barrel by 08:00 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $69.34 a barrel, up 4 cents. Last w