Equities open in positive as all eyes set on PIA privatisation

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) kicked off trading on a positive note, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining over 200 points during the opening minutes on Tuesday. At 9:40am, the benchmark index was hovering at 171,451.44, an increase of 247.27 points or 0.14%. Buying interest was observed in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, commercial banks, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration companies, OMCs and refinery. Index-heavy stocks, including MARI, OGDC, PSO, HASCOL, HBL, MEBL and NBP, traded in the green. All eyes are set on the bidding for the 75% stake in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) today, with three consortia submitting their sealed bids for the control of the national flag carrier. On Monday, the PSX remained under sustained pressure as the onset of the roll-over week dampened investor sentiment, resulting in a volatile yet predominantly bearish trading session. The benchmark KSE-100 Index shed 200.31 points, or 0.12%, to settle at 171,204.18 points.