PSX tumbles 3,500 points as Trump speech sinks hopes for quick end to war

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 index sank by 3,500 points on Thursday, after a press conference by United States President Donald Trump dampened investor hopes of a quick end to the war on Iran. The KSE-100 index dropped by 4,073.85 points, or 2.62 per cent, to stand at 151,505.26 points as of around 12:15pm, in a change of course from the bullish momentum it had sustained over the past two days . It closed at 152,011.26 points, down 3,500.30 points or 2.25pc, from the previous close of 155,511.56. Topline Securities said that the local bourse remained under pressure, “tracking the negative momentum in global markets” after remarks by Trump on the ongoing war on Iran dented investor sentiment. “Escalating geopolitical tensions, coupled with a surge in oil prices, kept market participants on the back foot, reinforcing a cautious stance throughout the session,” it said. “Selling pressure prevailed across the board, dragging the index to an intraday low of 5,489 points. The market eventually settled at 152,011, marking a decline of 3,500 points or 2.25pc, reflecting a clear risk-off sentiment amid the uncertain backdrop,” it added. Topline Securities said that market activity remained moderate, with total traded volume clocking in at 352 million shares and a turnover of Rs19.5 billion. In his 19-minute prime-time address from the White House, Trump reiterated that US forces would hammer Iran for another two to three weeks. Shortly afterwards, global oil prices spiked and stocks sank. Trump “spoke of objectives met, but not of resolution. Of continued strikes, not withdrawal. Of optional escalation, not closure”, wrote Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. “The message was not one of panic, but it was unmistakably one of unfinished business. And in markets, unfinished business is oxygen for volatility. The reaction among equity traders was no better, with Seoul — which soared more than 8pc on Wednesday — losing more than 4pc. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok, Jakarta and Sydney were also well down with London, Paris and Frankfurt. Brent crude, which had fallen back below $100 a barrel on Wednesday, surged almost 7pc to hit $108.15, while West Texas Intermediate jumped more than 6pc to as high as $106.75.

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