STOCK EXCHANGES AROUND THE WORLD.

Byline: S.KAMAL HAYDER KAZMI

FTSE 100 CLIMBS AS GLOBAL MARKETS RALLY

The FTSE 100 has climbed back into the green as investors eyed a fresh wave of government support for companies coming under financial strain due to the coronavirus pandemic. The blue chip index added over 5 percent just after the open but then pared back gains to stand at just over 1 percent higher by mid-afternoon.

Oil majors Shell and BP helped boost the FTSE 100 after US President Donald Trump hinted he could intervene in the oil price war raging between Saudi Arabia and Russia at an appropriate time. The smaller, more domestically-focused FTSE 250 surged as much as 7.17 percent ahead of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's announcement of plans to help support companies and workers hit by the virus. The midcap index gave back some gains by mid-afternoon to stand at just under 6 percent up. Although investors appear to be optimistic about the incoming measures, it is said. Given the markets' inconsistent relationship with government and central bank interventions, it's not a guarantee that Sunak's appearance will preserve Friday's rebound.

HOW, AND WHY, TO INVEST IN THE NASDAQ-100 INDEX

2020 has been a tough year so far. The U.S. stock markets are in bear territory, falling more than 20 percent from their recent highs, and the situation is similar across global markets. Although it is hard to be courageous when stock markets are so volatile, it is time to remember that bear markets are a buyer's market.

These rough times are an opportunity to buy stocks in companies that are fundamentally strong and are currently a victim of pessimism and near-term challenges. In the current scenario, large-cap growth companies offer good prospects. One can invest in a strong diversified portfolio of such companies by investing in the Nasdaq-100 index. Here's why and how investors can go about doing so. The Nasdaq-100 is one of the world's preeminent large-cap growth indexes. It includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization.

BULLS REGAIN CONTROL AS KSE-100 RISES OVER 500 POINTS

Bulls returned to the bourse on Friday as stocks rallied and the benchmark KSE-100 index soared 537 points. Following four bearish sessions, the stock market took a U-turn in the wake of a recovery in international crude oil prices. Moreover, renewed foreign investor interest and a strong economic outlook amid falling energy...

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