News Archives for Business & Finance - 2026-03-24

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Business & Finance - 2026-03-24

South Asia

India’s private sector growth hits 3-year low as Middle East war saps demand

The services industry, which accounts for the majority of India’s GDP, also lost ground with the PMI easing to 57.2 from 58.1

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:41pm

Markets

Goldman Sachs slashes India growth forecast, warns currency strain will force rate hike

Goldman forecasts the Indian economy will grow by 5.9% in calendar year 2026

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:36pm

Forex

Soaring offshore FX swaps signal anxiety over Indian rupee outlook

A spread around 100 seems very high. However, it is a broken market and (the spread) could go higher

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:32pm

Energy

Iran war may halve India’s LPG imports in March, according to traders, data

India covers around 60% of its LPG needs with imports and until the February 28 US

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:28pm

Forex

Dwindling central bank support for Indian rupee, bonds spooks markets

India’s foreign exchange pile eased over $19 billion to $709.76 billion as on March 13

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:23pm

Companies

Brewers in India warn of shortages as Iran war hits glass bottle, can makers

We are asking for price increases in the range of 12-15%,

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:18pm

Business & Finance

March, April fuel cargoes secured as govt reviews supply stability

Says inventories of crude oil and refined petroleum products remain at comfortable levels

Published 24 Mar, 2026 07:23pm

Stocks

Wall Street poised for lower open as Middle East uncertainty caps rally

Dow E-minis were down 198 points, or 0.43%, S&P 500 E-minis were down 26.25 points

Published 24 Mar, 2026 07:02pm

Stocks

Gulf stocks mixed amid confusion over US-Iran talks

Dubai’s main index rose as much as 4% before closing 1.6% higher

Published 24 Mar, 2026 06:48pm

Money & Banking

ADB announces support package for developing member states hit by Middle East conflict

ADB has started discussions with all severely affected developing member countries on possible immediate support

Published 24 Mar, 2026 06:14pm

Companies

Xiaomi quarterly profit slumps despite annual EV gains

BEIJING: Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi announced a dip in quarterly profit on Tuesday after slower smartphone...

Published 24 Mar, 2026 06:11pm

Energy

India loads LPG onto stranded empty ships amid gas crisis

Two ships Shivalik and Nanda have already reached India, while Pine Gas, and Jag Vasant are expected to arrive

Published 24 Mar, 2026 06:07pm

World

Who hurts most as Iran war hits global economy including Pakistan?

Pakistan is teetering on the brink of crisis two years ago and has ramped up its petrol prices and closed its schools for two weeks too

Published 24 Mar, 2026 05:49pm

Commodities

Coal India unit Central Mine Planning’s $199 million IPO fully subscribed on final bidding day

The company, a subsidiary of the world’s largest coal miner, Coal India, received bids for 83.7 million shares

Published 24 Mar, 2026 05:30pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares mark their best day in nearly a year on broad gains

CSE All-Share index rose nearly 3.5% to 21,071.23

Published 24 Mar, 2026 05:02pm

Financial

India bonds fall as oil prices stay sticky at over $100 per barrel

Benchmark 6.48% 2035 yield rose 3 bps to end at 6.8681%

Published 24 Mar, 2026 04:58pm

Markets

India’s first GIFT City IPO extends bidding date as Iran war delays customer verification

Despite the issue getting bids, the exchanges are not able to accept due to lack of timely video customer verification

Published 24 Mar, 2026 04:38pm

Commodities

Copper falls after Iran denies talks to end war, attacks Israel

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange fell 1.4% to $11,991.50 a metric ton

Published 24 Mar, 2026 04:25pm

World

World Economic Forum postpones meeting planned in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia says

The WEF Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting had been scheduled to be held in Jeddah from April 22–23

Published 24 Mar, 2026 04:21pm

Energy

Reliance buys 5 million barrels of Iranian oil after US waiver, sources say

The crude was priced at a premium of about $7 a barrel to ICE Brent futures

Published 24 Mar, 2026 04:14pm

Commodities

India’s vegetable oil buyers step back, betting war-driven rally will ease

Imports are likely to fall to about 1.1 million tons in March

Published 24 Mar, 2026 04:08pm

Exchange

Rupee registers gain against US dollar

Settles at 279.22 against the greenback

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 08:52pm

Commodities

Palm slides more than 1% on weaker rival oils, geopolitical tensions

Dalian’s most-active soyoil contract fell 0.97%, while its palm oil contract shed 1.79%

Published 24 Mar, 2026 04:03pm

Forex

Indian rupee gets a breather, contradictory signals on Iran war keep traders cautious

Indian rupee nudged up 0.1% to end the session at 93.8650

Published 24 Mar, 2026 03:59pm

Currency

SBP cancels license of multiple exchanges

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) canceled on Tuesday the authorization/licenses of two exchange companies. In a...

Published 24 Mar, 2026 03:56pm

Markets

Temasek-backed Manipal Health files for $1.2 billion India IPO

IPO comprises a fresh issue to raise $852.2 million and an offer for sale of about 43.2 million shares

Published 24 Mar, 2026 03:54pm

Stocks

Indian shares join global rally after Trump delays Iran grid bombing

Nifty 50 rose 1.78% to 22,912.40 points, while the BSE Sensex added 1.89% to 74,068.45

Published 24 Mar, 2026 03:46pm

Technology

Pakistan’s SadaPay goes offline after drone strikes damage infrastructure in Bahrain

Escalating regional tensions have disrupted Pakistan’s fintech sector as SadaPay on Tuesday said its app had gone...

Published 24 Mar, 2026 03:12pm

Bullion Rate

Gold price per tola gains Rs16,300 in Pakistan

Reaches Rs464,062

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 07:17pm

Energy

OGDCL commences oil production from horizontal well in Hyderabad

The well produces 460 barrels of oil per day

Published 24 Mar, 2026 01:41pm

Asia

Cathay extends Dubai, Riyadh flight suspensions to May 31

The Asian aviation giant said in two separate statements that all Cathay Pacific flights to and from Riyadh and Dubai had been cancelled up to and including May 31, 2026

Published 24 Mar, 2026 01:22pm

Commodities

Copper falls after Iran denies talks with US to end war

The benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange fell 1.17% to $12,024.50 a metric ton

Published 24 Mar, 2026 12:37pm

Markets

Ford to recall over 254,600 US vehicles over issues with assistance features, NHTSA says

Motor is recalling 254,640 vehicles in the US over issues that may result in the loss of rearview camera image

Published 24 Mar, 2026 12:36pm

Stocks

China, HK shares rally as Trump delays Iran grid strike; caution lingers

Hong Kong benchmark Hang Seng was up 1.8%

Published 24 Mar, 2026 12:12pm

Forex

Yuan edges lower as traders weigh Iran war developments

The spot yuan opened at 6.8890 per dollar and was last trading at 6.8928

Published 24 Mar, 2026 12:03pm

Stocks

South Korean shares pare early rise as Mideast conflict weighs

The benchmark KOSPI added 42.90 points, or 0.79%, to 5,448.65

Published 24 Mar, 2026 11:25am

Markets

Australia, EU seal long-awaited trade deal amid global trade tensions

The agreement comes after both sides stepped up talks in the wake of significantly higher US tariffs under the Trump administration

Published 24 Mar, 2026 11:19am

Commodities

Chicago soybeans gain as investors weigh impact of US-Iran war

Wheat and corn futures also edged higher

Published 24 Mar, 2026 11:01am

Markets

Alibaba develops next-gen chip for agentic AI, Chinese media says

Alibaba on Tuesday revealed its next-generation XuanTie C950 5-nanometer processor at an internal conference on Tuesday

Published 24 Mar, 2026 11:00am

Forex

Australia, NZ dollar fall again as relief rally proves fragile

The kiwi dollar also dropped 0.4% to $0.5833

Published 24 Mar, 2026 10:57am

Energy

Mari Energies inks agreements with major fertilizer firms to boost gas supply

Firms include Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited, Engro Fertilizers Limited, and Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited

Published 24 Mar, 2026 10:57am

Stocks

Australian stocks recover as miners, gold stocks shine after Trump delays Iran strike

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 1.1% to 8,457.20

Published 24 Mar, 2026 10:56am

Stocks

Japan’s Nikkei rebounds as Trump’s Iran strike delay eases war fears

The Nikkei was up 2.1% at 52,613.37

Published 24 Mar, 2026 10:55am

Forex

Thai baht/US dollar weaker on Tuesday

The baht was 0.96% lower at 32.63 versus the dollar, after trading in a range of 32.375 to 32.685

Published 24 Mar, 2026 10:51am

Mutual Funds

Japanese bonds rise as Trump pauses Iran strike plans; 40-year auction uneventful

The benchmark 10-year JGB yield fell 3 basis points to 2.275%, retreating from Monday’s two-month high of 2.305%

Published 24 Mar, 2026 10:36am

Mutual Funds

India bonds extend losses as higher US yields, debt supply weigh

The benchmark 6.48% 2035 yield was at 6.8416%

Published 24 Mar, 2026 10:19am

Energy

Pakistan govt defends ‘calibrated’ fuel price hike

Govt increased petrol, diesel prices by Rs55 per litre each earlier this month

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 06:21pm

Technology

PTA approves PTML–Telenor Pakistan merger plan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has approved the proposed amalgamation of Pak Telecom Mobile Limited...

Published 24 Mar, 2026 09:43am

Stocks

KSE-100 Index gains over 1,200 points on Middle East diplomacy hopes

Benchmark index settles at 153,966.36

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 05:18pm

Companies

K-Electric appoints PSO boss Syed Taha as CEO

Taha has been serving as the MD & CEO of PSO

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 11:35am

Forex

Indian rupee to rise on oil pullback after Trump signals talks; Iran denial clouds outlook

The 1-month non-deliverable forward indicated the rupee will open in the 93.50 to 93.60 range versus the US dollar

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:32am

Stocks

Indian shares set for positive start as Trump postpones Iran grid strike

GIFT Nifty ‌futures were trading at 22,862

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:29am

Bullion Rate

Gold loses over 1% as dollar firms, Fed cut hopes fade

Spot gold fell 1.6% to $4,335.18 per ounce
US gold futures for April delivery fell 1.6% to $4,336.10

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 10:14am

Stocks

Shares jittery, oil rebounds as fragile relief rally sours

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 1%

Published 24 Mar, 2026 08:19am

Forex

Dollar nurses losses as markets weigh Trump delay in Iran strikes

The yen was steady at 158.61 ⁠a dollar after Japan's core consumer inflation rate hit 1.6% in February
Sterling eased 0.5% to $1.33925 after jumping nearly 1% on Monday

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 10:15am

Energy

Oil rises as supply disruption persists and Iran denies US talks

Brent futures rose $1.83, or 1.8%, to $101.77 a barrel
US WTI climbed $2.21, or 2.5%, to $90.34

Updated 24 Mar, 2026 05:19pm

Previous Day

BR100
BR30
KSE100
KSE30
KMI30

1D 5D 3M 6M 1Y

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Jul 24	278.07
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Jul 24	277.87
USD to Japanese Yen / Jul 24	163.83
USD to Swiss Franc / Jul 24	0.82
Pound Sterling to USD / Jul 24	1.33
Euro to USD / Jul 24	1.14
SOFR % / Jul 24	3.57

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Jul 24	7,411.98
India Sensex / Jul 24	76,059.77
Nasdaq / Jul 24	24,975.82
FTSE 100 / Jul 24	10,736.23
Dow Jones / Jul 24	51,947.25
Germany DAX 30 / Jul 24	25,099
France CAC40 / Jul 24	8,372.28
Tokyo Nikkei / Jul 27	64,771.01
Hang Seng / Jul 27	25,112.38

Item	Value
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Jul 24	89.31
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Jul 24	18,680
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Jul 24	366,457
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Jul 24	4,052.79
Cotton US¢/pound / Jul 24	79.98
Petrol/Litre / Jul 27	335.18
Diesel/Litre / Jul 27	383.46

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
Media Times Ltd / Jul 24 Media Times Limited(MDTL)	6.38 ▲ 1 (18.59%)
First Punjab Modaraba / Jul 24 First Punjab Modaraba(FPJM)	10.44 ▲ 0.97 (10.24%)
First Fid. Leasing / Jul 24 First Fidelity Leasing Modaraba(FFLM)	14.92 ▲ 1.36 (10.03%)
First IBL Mod. / Jul 24 First IBL Modaraba(FIBLM)	15.15 ▲ 1.38 (10.02%)
Metro Steel / Jul 24 Metropolitan Steel Corporation Limited(MSCL)	22.41 ▲ 2.04 (10.01%)
UDL International / Jul 24 UDL International Limited(UDLI)	21.77 ▲ 1.98 (10.01%)
Asia Ins. / Jul 24 Asia Insurance Company Limited(ASIC)	54.95 ▲ 5 (10.01%)
Olympia Mills / Jul 24 Olympia Mills Limited(OML)	173.26 ▲ 15.75 (10%)
Fateh Sports / Jul 24 Fateh Sports Wear Limited(FSWL)	172.68 ▲ 15.7 (10%)
Ashfaq Textile / Jul 24 Ashfaq Textile Mills Limited(ASHT)	31.49 ▲ 2.86 (9.99%)

Stock	Price
Khairpur Sug. / Jul 24 Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited(KPUS)	1,105.08 ▼ -122.79 (-10%)
Shadman Cotton / Jul 24 Shadman Cotton Mills Limited(SHCM)	52.81 ▼ -5.84 (-9.96%)
Shams Textile / Jul 24 Shams Textile Mills Limited(STML)	53.26 ▼ -5.88 (-9.94%)
Power Cem(Pref) / Jul 24 Power Cement (Pref)(POWERPS)	23.51 ▼ -2.54 (-9.75%)
Janana De Malucho / Jul 24 Janana De Malucho Textile Mills Limited(JDMT)	139.77 ▼ -14.79 (-9.57%)
East West Ins. / Jul 24 East West Insurance Company Limited(EWIC)	48.10 ▼ -4.36 (-8.31%)
Elahi Cotton / Jul 24 Elahi Cotton Mills Limited(ELCM)	208.50 ▼ -18.84 (-8.29%)
J.A.Textile / Jul 24 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	32.13 ▼ -2.85 (-8.15%)
Suhail Jute / Jul 24 Suhail Jute Mills Limited(SUHJ)	201.90 ▼ -17.58 (-8.01%)
Lotte Chemical / Jul 24 Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited(LOTCHEM)	26.81 ▼ -2.31 (-7.93%)

Stock	Volume
Cnergyico PK / Jul 24 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	59,327,773 ▲ 0.19
Trust Sec.& Brok. / Jul 24 Trust Securities & Brokerage Limited(TSBL)	36,977,902 ▲ 0
Kohinoor Spinning / Jul 24 Kohinoor Spinning Mills Limited(KOSM)	32,626,744 ▲ 0.51
Pak Refinery / Jul 24 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	24,565,429 ▲ 0.6
WorldCall Telecom / Jul 24 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	21,618,473 ▲ 0.01
B.O.Punjab / Jul 24 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	20,591,638 ▼ -0.34
TPL Properties / Jul 24 TPL Properties Limited(TPLP)	19,232,151 ▼ -0.25
K-Electric Ltd. / Jul 24 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	18,140,027 ▲ 0.08
Media Times Ltd / Jul 24 Media Times Limited(MDTL)	15,731,176 ▲ 1
Waves Home Appliances / Jul 24 Waves Home Appliances Limited(WAVESAPP)	13,338,005 ▲ 0.56

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