INVEST-O-MANIA

IoBM Finance Society has been known for its informative events. Invest-o-mania was another Panel discussion (held on March 17th, 2011) organized by the Finance Society in order to promote the understanding amongst the students regarding investing their money in different channels of investment prevailing in the market. The panel comprised of Mr. Muhammad Asim VP (Portfolio Manager Equities) of MCB Asset Management Company, Mr. Ahsan Mahenti Director Wealth Management of Arif Habib Investments Ltd and Mr. Ali Abbasi of Abbasi Securities Pvt. Ltd. The discussion started with the importance of investment in lives of every individual and that they may invest their money in debt securities, equity securities and also in commodities like gold, silver, wheat etc. 

Panelists

Discussing the scope of investment in Pakistan they mentioned the role played by National Commodity Exchange NCE that it has not triggered the investment in gold by the individuals instead has affected the business of traders. Moreover investing in commodity is relatively risky for individuals hedging their cash flows where as investment in equity and debt instruments provided by stable organizations comes along with a certainty of positive returns. On part of the individuals investing their money, it is essential to have an assurance regarding the returns and security of the investment itself. They even mentioned that there are no cash flows attached to gold and that it is a store value even for which you do not get a fair price. Also investment in wheat or rice comes along with storage costs. The current Pakistani economic environment is portraying inconsistency and people do not have any idea regarding the fluctuation in efficiency levels of companies and banks as a result of which they end up investing in gold and other commodities. 


The discussion next directed towards the impact of political instability on the economy. The way the crisis is affecting the KSE ratings. Pakistan being a net importer has a negative balance of payments having the remittances as the only positive point in current economic crisis. The incoming remittances might decline depending upon the increasing political instability. In contrast to all these negativities it was conferred that the economic instabilities usually attract new investors as such economic crisis end up being positive for companies that survive recessions. It's a fact that no matter recessions take place but economic consumption does not decline. The market recoups after sometime and comes back to its direction depending upon its fundamentals. Furthermore it was concluded that a reverse step regarding ones investment should only be taken if the economic crisis have affected any of the listed factors that triggered the process of that investment. The panelists even mentioned that depending upon Pakistan's current economic conditions it is beneficial to invest in debt securities rather than equity or commodities. The session ended being beneficial and a remarkable experience for the audience.