PSX gives up gains despite IMF deal

Pakistan's benchmark KSE-100 ended the week 0.6 per cent lower at 167,089, a loss of 1,066 points, even though an IMF staff-level agreement for $1.2 billion in loan tranches was reached. According to The Express Tribune, geopolitical strains weighed on sentiment throughout the week. Monday's slide of 2,288 points was followed by a 2,593-point rebound on Tuesday, after which the index drifted lower on Thursday and Friday.

Research from Arif Habib Limited noted that board approval is still needed before $1 billion and $210 million are disbursed, lifting total payments under both programmes to $5.7 billion. Central government debt slid 0.5 per cent month on month to Rs82.95 trillion in August 2026, still up 7.1 per cent from a year earlier. A Rs381 billion Pakistan Investment Bond auction exceeded its Rs350 billion target, with yields climbing by 26 to 41 basis points for the three-year, five-year and ten-year maturities.

Figures cited in the report showed Sazgar Engineering's four-wheeler sales flat year on year at 2,474 units across August and September, while first-quarter volumes fell 12 per cent to 3,137 units. Three-wheeler sales rose 32 per cent over the same two months. Cement dispatches climbed 6 per cent to 4.62 million tons in September, and oil output fell 6.4 per cent week on week to 63.7k barrels a day.