Category: 3. Business

  • PSX up 2.8% WoW, extends monthly rally

    PSX up 2.8% WoW, extends monthly rally

    A stock broker reacts while monitoring the market on the electronic board displaying share prices during trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, in Karachi on July 3, 2023. Photo: Reuters/ File


    KARACHI:

    The KSE-100 index closed the week on a strong note, rising 2.8% to settle at 166,678 points as broad-based buying in fertiliser, banks, technology, cement and exploration & production (E&P) sectors lifted sentiment despite a sharp drop in trading volumes.

    The latest advance reinforced the market’s upward trajectory in November, during which the benchmark index added 5,046 points month-on-month (MoM), supported by sector-specific catalysts and improving macro indicators.

    On a day-on-day basis, the PSX experienced a neutral Monday, marked by muted volatility and limited movement as investors awaited clearer signals on the first day of the rollover week. The KSE-100 index settled at 161,984, down 119 points, or 0.07%.

    Tuesday was another lacklustre day as the index closed at 161,693, down 292 points, or 0.18%. Finally, as the rollover week progressed, the bourse began to show signs of recovery on Wednesday, with the KSE-100 closing at 163,189, up 1,496 points, or 0.93%.

    On Thursday, bulls gained firm control as concerns surrounding the rollover week subsided. The index posted strong gains, closing at 165,373, up 2,185 points, or 1.34%. Notably, the index reclaimed the 165k level at close after 25 days, which was last seen on October 22.

    On Friday, the PSX closed November 2025 on a strong note as the KSE-100 extended its upward momentum to settle at 166,678, gaining 1,304 points, or 0.99%.

    Arif Habib Limited (AHL) noted that the KSE-100 index gained momentum in Nov’25 and closed at 166,678, posting a MoM increase of 5,046 points. The market’s bullish shift was driven by positive sector catalysts. The fertiliser sector gained pace after getting the government’s approval to shift from costly re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) to Mari gas, which would ease subsidy pressure and support stable urea prices.

    Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC) outperformed on its KMI-30 inclusion, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) benefited from interest in the upcoming offshore exploration activity and progress on Reko Diq’s financial close while Pioneer Cement rallied on potential M&A developments, AHL said.

    In Nov’25, the KSE-100 depicted a return of 3.1% and 3.3% in rupee and dollar terms, respectively. During the week, Pakistan recorded a trade deficit of $3.28 billion in Oct’25. Cumulatively, the 4MFY26 trade deficit widened 38.9% year-on-year (YoY) to $12.6 billion.

    The large-scale manufacturing (LSM) output grew 2.7% YoY in Sept’25, accompanied by a 2% uptick on a MoM basis. Remittances by overseas Pakistanis rose 12% YoY to $3.42 billion in Oct’25 versus $3.05 billion in Oct’24, while cumulative inflows during 4MFY26 stood at $12.96 billion, up 9% YoY, AHL added.

    “KSE-100 closed the week on a strong note,” commented Muhammad Waqas Ghani, Research Head at JS Global. The index opened the week at 162,103 and closed at 166,678, up 4,575 points (+2.8%). The rally was broad-based, with fertiliser (+4.9%), banking (+2.9%), tech & communication (+2.8%), cement (+2.6%) and E&P (+2.5%) sectors driving the sentiment.

    However, average daily traded volumes slipped 47% WoW, reflecting a more selective trading environment, Ghani said. The government raised over Rs1 trillion through auctions of T-bills, PIBs and Government Ijara Sukuk. Notably, during the T-bill auction held during the week, the government raised Rs749 billion against the target of Rs650 billion, with yields easing 4-10 basis points across different tenors.

    On the IMF front, the lender flagged a lack of internal audits and weak parliamentary oversight as major risks to public funds. In the energy sector, Ogra recommended an increase in gas tariffs for SSGC and SNGPL in its tariff determination. In other news, despite media speculation about potential divestments or restructuring, Barrick’s interim CEO Mark Hill reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project, the JS research head said. Lastly, the State Bank’s forex reserves stood stable at $14.6 billion.

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  • Data Centers Are a ‘Gold Rush’ for Construction Workers – The Wall Street Journal

    1. Data Centers Are a ‘Gold Rush’ for Construction Workers  The Wall Street Journal
    2. As AI Data Centers Face Delays, the Blame Game Begins  The Information
    3. Mandel in the Wyoming Star: EXCLUSIVE: The Great Build-Out. Part 3. Economics of Data Center Construction.  Progressive Policy Institute
    4. BCC Research Announces Fourth Webinar in AI Series: AI and the Future of Data Centres  GlobeNewswire
    5. 2025 U.S. Data Center Construction Market Forecast: Growth to 2033 Driven by AI & Cloud  Construction Owners Club

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  • While institutions invested in Reece Limited (ASX:REH) benefited from last week’s 16% gain, private companies stood to gain the most

    While institutions invested in Reece Limited (ASX:REH) benefited from last week’s 16% gain, private companies stood to gain the most

    • The considerable ownership by private companies in Reece indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy

    • The top 4 shareholders own 51% of the company

    • 13% of Reece is held by insiders

    Trump has pledged to “unleash” American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

    If you want to know who really controls Reece Limited (ASX:REH), then you’ll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are private companies with 58% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

    While private companies were the group that benefitted the most from last week’s AU$1.1b market cap gain, institutions too had a 15% share in those profits.

    Let’s take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Reece.

    View our latest analysis for Reece

    ASX:REH Ownership Breakdown November 30th 2025

    Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it’s included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

    We can see that Reece does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company’s stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there’s always a risk that they are in a ‘crowded trade’. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Reece’s historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there’s always more to the story.

    earnings-and-revenue-growth
    ASX:REH Earnings and Revenue Growth November 30th 2025

    Hedge funds don’t have many shares in Reece. The company’s largest shareholder is L.T. Wilson Pty Ltd., with ownership of 25%. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 9.7% and 7.9%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

    To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 4 shareholders control more than half of the company which implies that this group has considerable sway over the company’s decision-making.

    While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock’s expected performance. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

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  • Consistency key to startup success

    Consistency key to startup success


    KARACHI:

    Consistency is emerging as the defining currency of startup success, overshadowing capital, connections and even innovative ideas. This was the dominant message at Build Up 2025, an annual entrepreneurship forum hosted by Invest2Innovate (i2i) in Karachi.

    Across high-impact panel discussions, founders and investors agreed that persistence, clarity of purpose, and disciplined financial behaviour are the pillars that determine which startups break through Pakistan’s challenging market environment.

    The panel, “The Art of Selling: Convincing Customers, Partners & Investors,” moderated by Qist Bazaar’s Arif Lakhani, spotlighted the emotional and practical exhaustion that accompanies early-stage sales. Speakers stressed that rejection is not an obstacle but an unavoidable phase that founders must survive to get their product accepted.

    One of the day’s most powerful illustrations came from Haball’s Omar bin Ahsan, who recalled meeting the same potential clients up to 40 times before finally closing a major deal, and being rejected an equal number of times along the way. “You must not give up,” he said, calling persistence the only reliable predictor of sales success in Pakistan’s B2B landscape.

    Panellists explained that before a product can be sold, the founder must “sell themselves.” Building trust, they said, is the make-or-break factor in an ecosystem where clients often refuse a pitch simply because they “have not heard your name.”

    For BusCaro’s Maha Shahzad and others on the panel, trust building begins with the founder’s credibility, image and consistency in fulfilling commitments. “You must deliver every promise you make about your product,” one speaker said, emphasising that quality and reliability form the foundation of customer acceptance.

    Contrary to the instinct of many new entrepreneurs, some panellists strongly discouraged placing products directly in large supermarkets. Launching in big retail chains too early, they warned, destroys margins due to high listing fees, tight payment cycles and promotional costs. Instead, founders were advised to first sell through neighbourhood stores and street-level retail to build organic demand.

    The panel also tackled the sensitive question of whether references to father or uncle could accelerate sales. Speakers acknowledged that powerful references may help secure an introductory meeting. A large retailer may entertain a pitch if a senior official recommends it. But beyond that initial opening, they agreed, influence has no power. Poor-quality products pushed through influence may see early traction, but cannot achieve long-term success.

    Another discussion, “The Pressure to Raise & What Happens After,” moderated by i2i Ventures’ Misbah Naqvi, shifted focus from sales to funding, a topic that brought equally candid reflections. Panellists included Salesflo’s Sharoon Saleem, Myco’s Somair Rizvi and Sehat Kahani’s Dr Sara Saeed.

    If consistency defines sales, the speakers argued, then clarity defines fundraising. Founders must be able to state the problem they are solving and the solution in a single sentence. Pitching, they added, is not an inherent skill but an art that must be practised repeatedly. Speakers agreed that funding comes with responsibilities.

    The fundraising panel, moderated by Misbah Naqvi, Co-founder of i2i Ventures, highlighted a fundamental debate: is external funding necessary?

    Panellist Sharoon Saleem of Salesflo emphasised bootstrapping, noting, “We don’t go to fundraising.” This perspective contrasts with the traditional view, acknowledging that capital infusion brings added responsibilities. Dr Sara Saeed of Sehat Kahani and other panellists agreed that funding is a continuous process that presents new tasks and challenges, as founders are liable to deliver on their promises to investors.

    The key takeaway was that capital deployment demands rigour. Founders must be clear on where the money will be used and be flexible with their plans. If funds are wasted, the next investor will know, making prudent capital deployment as crucial as the pitch itself.

    Omar bin Ahsan of Haball advised founders to take market risks to gauge where and why rejection is occurring. “You must assess the reasons for rejection, then effectively sell yourself and your product. Ultimately, you need to establish and earn client trust as the trust factor is critical for sales.”

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  • With 46% ownership in Sims Limited (ASX:SGM), institutional investors have a lot riding on the business

    With 46% ownership in Sims Limited (ASX:SGM), institutional investors have a lot riding on the business

    • Significantly high institutional ownership implies Sims’ stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

    • A total of 6 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

    • Recent sales by insiders

    We’ve found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free.

    A look at the shareholders of Sims Limited (ASX:SGM) can tell us which group is most powerful. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 46% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

    And things are looking up for institutional investors after the company gained AU$390m in market cap last week. The one-year return on investment is currently 33% and last week’s gain would have been more than welcomed.

    Let’s take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Sims.

    Check out our latest analysis for Sims

    ASX:SGM Ownership Breakdown November 30th 2025

    Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

    As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Sims. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can’t rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Sims, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

    earnings-and-revenue-growth
    ASX:SGM Earnings and Revenue Growth November 30th 2025

    Sims is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Mitsui & Co., Ltd. with 17% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 13% and 6.2%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

    We did some more digging and found that 6 of the top shareholders account for roughly 51% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat.

    While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

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  • Validation of a Curricular Map on Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) for Cardiac Anesthesia Trainees

    Validation of a Curricular Map on Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) for Cardiac Anesthesia Trainees

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  • A Look at American Eagle Outfitters’s Valuation After Strong Earnings and Sydney Sweeney Campaign Boost

    A Look at American Eagle Outfitters’s Valuation After Strong Earnings and Sydney Sweeney Campaign Boost

    American Eagle Outfitters has caught the market’s attention after the company’s latest earnings exceeded expectations on both revenue and profit. The brand’s Sydney Sweeney campaign is getting credit for boosting investor interest and sales growth.

    See our latest analysis for American Eagle Outfitters.

    American Eagle’s share price has been on a hot streak, jumping 20% in the past month and delivering a 58% gain over the last 90 days, as upbeat earnings and the Sydney Sweeney campaign have reinvigorated momentum. While the 1-year total shareholder return of 10% is not as eye-catching, recent trends suggest growing investor confidence, especially as institutional buyers and analysts show increased interest in its growth story.

    If American Eagle’s recent run has you interested in what else could be taking off, it’s a great moment to explore fast growing stocks with high insider ownership

    With American Eagle’s shares surging and momentum building, investors are now debating a critical question: is the current price an entry point for further gains, or is all the future growth already reflected in the stock?

    At $20.40, American Eagle Outfitters is trading well above the fair value estimate of $16.44 set by the most widely followed narrative. The gap between valuation and market enthusiasm prompts investors to consider the sustainability of this rally.

    The analysts have a consensus price target of $15.167 for American Eagle Outfitters based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of $21.5, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just $10.0.

    Read the complete narrative.

    What if the crowd is wrong? The valuation depends on significant changes in future margin forecasts, ambitious profit assumptions, and a strongly debated multiple that could surprise even experienced investors. The calculations behind the forecast involve some unusual factors. See what is driving these projections.

    Result: Fair Value of $16.44 (OVERVALUED)

    Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what’s behind the forecasts.

    However, ongoing consumer uncertainty and rising tariffs remain notable risks that could quickly shift the outlook for American Eagle Outfitters in the future.

    Find out about the key risks to this American Eagle Outfitters narrative.

    Stepping away from price targets, our DCF model offers a longer-term take. Using projected cash flows, the SWS DCF model suggests fair value is much lower, at just $11.04 per share. This is well below both market price and analyst targets. This raises questions about whether recent optimism can last.

    Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value.

    AEO Discounted Cash Flow as at Nov 2025

    If you want to see the numbers for yourself or take a different approach, you can easily craft your own American Eagle Outfitters narrative in under three minutes. Do it your way

    A great starting point for your American Eagle Outfitters research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 3 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision.

    Smart investors know the next breakout stock can be found where the crowd isn’t looking. Use the powerful Simply Wall Street Screener to unlock unique opportunities before they hit the headlines.

    This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

    Companies discussed in this article include AEO.

    Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

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  • Assessing Valuation After Strong Q3 Earnings Beat and Raised Guidance

    Assessing Valuation After Strong Q3 Earnings Beat and Raised Guidance

    TJX Companies (TJX) delivered a strong third-quarter earnings report, easily outpacing sales and profit expectations for fiscal 2026. The company followed up by raising its full-year sales and earnings forecasts, which signals management’s confidence in ongoing growth and market share gains.

    See our latest analysis for TJX Companies.

    TJX shares recently hit a new all-time high, reflecting a wave of investor optimism after the company beat estimates and raised its outlook for the year. The momentum is clear in the numbers, with a share price return of 25.4% year-to-date and a one-year total shareholder return of 22.4%, compounded by an impressive 97.5% over three years. With upbeat earnings and rising investor confidence, TJX is showing strong signs of durable long-term growth.

    If TJX’s market momentum has you thinking bigger, now’s the perfect time to broaden your horizons and explore fast growing stocks with high insider ownership

    With TJX shares pushing to fresh highs, investors face a pressing question: does the stock have further room to run, or has upbeat performance led the market to already price in sustained earnings growth?

    With TJX Companies’ last close of $151.92 and the most-followed narrative fair value at $159.16, market consensus suggests there is still some upside for the stock based on updated business momentum.

    The company’s strong portfolio of brands and ability to adjust pricing across nearly all categories have allowed it to maintain value proposition scores, supporting customer loyalty in a dynamic retail environment.

    Read the complete narrative.

    Want to know the secret behind this premium valuation? There is a delicate mix of ambitious earnings forecasts, margin improvements, and bold assumptions for future growth. Click through to uncover what figures drive this narrative’s punchy price target and just how bullish those projections really are.

    Result: Fair Value of $159.16 (UNDERVALUED)

    Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what’s behind the forecasts.

    However, risks remain. An accelerating shift to e-commerce or changes in sourcing dynamics could dampen TJX’s future growth story and margin outlook.

    Find out about the key risks to this TJX Companies narrative.

    Looking through a different lens, TJX shares are trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 33x. This is much higher than the US Specialty Retail industry average of 18x and the peer group at 20.2x. The market’s fair ratio points to 21x, so today’s valuation carries added risk if expectations slip. Does this premium suggest the stock has already run too far ahead?

    See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown.

    NYSE:TJX PE Ratio as at Nov 2025

    If you want to dig deeper or see the story through your own lens, crafting a personal narrative only takes a few minutes. Do it your way

    A great starting point for your TJX Companies research is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision.

    Don’t let opportunity pass you by. Set yourself up for investing success by checking out unique stocks beyond TJX. There’s a world of potential to capture right now.

    This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

    Companies discussed in this article include TJX.

    Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

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  • South Korean e-commerce firm Coupang says 33.7 million customer accounts breached – Reuters

    1. South Korean e-commerce firm Coupang says 33.7 million customer accounts breached  Reuters
    2. Coupang says 33.7 mln customer accounts exposed in data leak  Yonhap News Agency
    3. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s cyber investigation team received a complaint from Coupang on..  매일경제
    4. Coupang Data Breach: Police Investigate Internal Employee  조선일보
    5. Coupang Personal Data Leak Expands to 30 Million Accounts… Government Launches Joint Public-Private Investigation Team  아시아경제

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  • How The Sephience Launch Is Reshaping The Story For PTC Therapeutics’s Valuation

    How The Sephience Launch Is Reshaping The Story For PTC Therapeutics’s Valuation

    PTC Therapeutics’ stock narrative has shifted as analysts raise their consensus price target from $77.93 to $80.50. This reflects heightened optimism around the company’s outlook. This change comes in the wake of strong earnings results and the robust launch of Sephience, which has exceeded early sales expectations. Stay tuned to discover how you can track these evolving analyst perspectives and remain informed about future updates to PTC’s growth story.

    Stay updated as the Fair Value for PTC Therapeutics shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on PTC Therapeutics.

    Analyst commentary on PTC Therapeutics has been notably active following the company’s recent earnings and the launch of Sephience. Several firms have updated their perspectives, reflecting both growing optimism and measured caution regarding the company’s fundamental strengths, ongoing execution, and outlook for growth.

    🐂 Bullish Takeaways

    • RBC Capital raised its price target to $82 from $70 and reiterated an Outperform rating, citing an excellent start for the Sephience launch and signs of strong near- and medium-term durability in the business.

    • JPMorgan lifted its price target to $80 from $68 while maintaining an Overweight rating, highlighting favorable and sustained business momentum observed in October following the Q3 earnings report.

    • Citi increased its price target to $75 from $50 and kept a Neutral rating, praising PTC for reporting a strong first quarter of Sephience sales.

    • BofA raised its price target to $87 from $76 and kept the stock as one of its top picks for 2025. The firm referenced survey data from neurologists and geneticists that indicate high community interest in Sephience. BofA continues to view Sephience as a potential blockbuster opportunity.

    • TD Cowen increased its price target to $63 from $50, noting a significant topline beat and initial Sephience sales of $19.2 million versus a $4 million consensus, which far exceeded expectations.

    The bullish sentiment reflects analysts rewarding PTC’s successful execution surrounding the Sephience launch, robust sales momentum, and continued transparency in reporting. Firms point to PTC’s ability to not only meet but exceed expectations, supporting upgraded valuations and ongoing optimism about future growth.

    🐻 Bearish Takeaways

    • Citi pointed out, in addition to its price target revision to $75, that its overall rating remains Neutral. The firm previously noted concerns after competitive data from uniQure regarding Huntington’s disease. Citi has also kept a $50 target in earlier communications, citing competitive pressures around votoplam data and potential challenges in maintaining momentum if rivals set a higher regulatory or clinical bar.

    • Truist commented that recent negative developments at uniQure have no direct negative read-throughs for PTC but did not express a notably bullish stance either, keeping a neutral-to-cautious tone on related programs.

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