News Archives for Business & Finance - 2026-03-26

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Business & Finance - 2026-03-26

Middle East

Trump says Iran’s ‘present’ was allowing a few oil tankers, including Pakistan-flagged, through Hormuz

US president makes the comments at a Cabinet meeting in the White House

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:26pm

Markets

CERAWEEK India’s Cairn reduces output 10% due to shipping complications from Middle East crisis

Company does not expect to reduce output further than that

Published 26 Mar, 2026 08:42pm

Technology

Google top India counsel quits in latest departure amid regulatory hurdles, sources say

India is crucial for Alphabet’s Google since most smartphones in the country run on its Android operating system

Published 26 Mar, 2026 08:38pm

Markets

ECC approves Rs100bn TSG for PM’s Austerity Fund 2026

PM Shehbaz directs mobilisation of PSDP resources to meet price differential requirements on petroleum products and to cushion consumers from price volatility

Published 26 Mar, 2026 08:02pm

Europe

Turkiye lifts opposition to WTO adopting developing country investment agreement

Many countries hope the IFDA, which aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles to encourage foreign direct investment

Published 26 Mar, 2026 07:59pm

Business & Finance

SBP-held foreign reserves rise $22mn to $16.38bn

Total liquid foreign reserves stand at $21.736 billion

Published 26 Mar, 2026 07:50pm

Stocks

Wall Street slides on Mideast de-escalation uncertainty

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 250.43 points, or 0.54%, to 46,179.06

Published 26 Mar, 2026 07:35pm

Stocks

Gulf markets slip as Middle East tensions keep investors cautious

In Abu Dhabi, the index dropped 1.8%, hit by a 2.6% fall in Aldar Properties

Published 26 Mar, 2026 07:10pm

World

WTO chief calls for trade overhaul to meet new world order

The world order and multilateral system we used to know has irrevocably changed. We will not get it back …

Published 26 Mar, 2026 07:04pm

Markets

Barrick to delay Pakistan copper-gold project amid Middle East conflict, FT reports

Development ⁠activity to be slowed, with correspondingly reduced project spend, for 12-month period ⁠commencing in July

Published 26 Mar, 2026 06:10pm

Companies

India asks auto industry to optimise production as Iran war hurts energy supplies

The government has already prioritised use of gas for households over industries, which get only about 80% of their average needs

Published 26 Mar, 2026 06:02pm

Stocks

Global trading system hit by ‘worst disruptions in the past 80 years’: WTO chief

YAOUNDÉ: The global trading system is experiencing the “worst disruptions in the past 80 years”, World Trade...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:59pm

Companies

Polish fashion retailer LPP sees no major disruption to deliveries, sourcing from Iran war

Delivery times from key Asian markets remain stable, with only minor delays of two to four days from Pakistan and India

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 07:45pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares close lower as broad losses weigh

CSE All-Share index closed 2.1% down at 21,419.94

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:36pm

Commodities

Palm rises nearly 2% on stronger Chicago soyoil, crude, export data

Dalian's most-active soyoil contract rose 1.05%

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:33pm

Energy

Reliance denies purchase of Iranian-origin oil

Reliance has purchased 5 million barrels of Iranian oil after the US granted a temporary waiver

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:26pm

Commodities

Copper eases, aluminium gains as Iran denies talks to end conflict

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.4% to $12,267.50 per metric ton

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:19pm

Asia

Iran allowing Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait, PM says after talks with regional leaders

Anwar said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to facilitate peace in the Middle East

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:13pm

Companies

Warner Bros shareholders to vote on $110 billion Paramount deal on April 23, WSJ reports

Paramount has bet on closing the deal quickly

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00pm

Energy

India secures 60 days of oil supply amid Hormuz disruption

Taking advantage of a temporary U.S. waiver, Indian refiners have also ramped up purchases of Russian crude

Published 26 Mar, 2026 04:56pm

Energy

Indian private refiner Nayara raises gasoline, gasoil prices

Indian refiners, hit hard by a declining Indian rupee and rising oil prices

Published 26 Mar, 2026 04:47pm

Companies

Thyssenkrupp, Jindal steel sale talks falter on pension, energy costs, sources say

The companies could decide to officially stop negotiations as soon as next month

Published 26 Mar, 2026 04:44pm

World

OECD: Iran war erases global growth upgrade, fans inflation

Global GDP growth is now projected to ease from 3.3% last year to 2.9% in 2026 before edging up to 3.0% in 2027

Published 26 Mar, 2026 04:36pm

Energy

Oman signals preferential fuel supply to Pakistan amid regional tensions

During March, three cargoes of petrol and one cargo of diesel were imported from the ports of Oman

Published 26 Mar, 2026 04:27pm

Exchange

Rupee gains against US dollar

Currency settles at 279.20 against the greenback

Published 26 Mar, 2026 03:54pm

Industry

PIA to resume direct Islamabad, Lahore–London flights from March 29–30

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is resuming direct flights from Islamabad and Lahore to London Heathrow at the...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 02:46pm

Business & Finance

Pakistan, Kuwait explore new trade opportunities amid Gulf engagement drive

Pakistan and Kuwait are exploring expanded trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, including food exports,...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 02:13pm

Business & Economy

Oil shock from ME tensions threatens to widen Pakistan’s C/A

Analysts say Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to energy shocks

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 04:28pm

Stocks

European shares fall as Middle East conflict fans inflation worries

The pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.6% at 583.8 points

Published 26 Mar, 2026 01:30pm

Commodities

Gold price drops by Rs11,000 per tola in Pakistan

International rate of gold declines by $110 to reach $4,455 per ounce

Published 26 Mar, 2026 12:33pm

Markets

India retains headline inflation target at 4% following review

The RBI's rate setting panel is due to deliver its next decision on April 8, after having held rates steady at its last meeting in February

Published 26 Mar, 2026 12:03pm

Markets

LG Energy launches $1.6 billion dollar-bonds issuance, term sheet shows

The bonds have been assigned a BBB rating by S&P Global Ratings and a Baa2 rating by Moody's, with an expected settlement date of April 2

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:59am

Commodities

Palm rebounds on stronger rival oils, crude prices, exports

Palm oil contract for June delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 42 ringgit, or 0.93%, to 4,538 ringgit a metric ton

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:53am

Forex

Australia, NZ dollars under pressure as economic risks grow

A break of support around $0.6897 would risk a retreat to at least $0.6766

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:48am

Business & Finance

Govt moves to scale up housing loans, fast-track legal reforms

The government is set to expand housing finance by assigning lending targets to banks and fast-tracking legal...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:48am

Stocks

Japan’s Nikkei gains on Middle East optimism; SoftBank jumps

The Nikkei was up 0.61% at 54,075.00

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:46am

Commodities

Chicago soybean futures rise as Trump plans May meeting with China’s Xi

The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) firmed 0.2% to $11.74-1/4 a bushel

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:43am

Stocks

China stocks fall as Iran de-escalation uncertainty weighs

Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng lost 1.5%

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:41am

Forex

China’s yuan edges down as dollar gains; investors watch Iran war talks

The spot yuan opened at 6.9043 per dollar and was last trading at 6.9047

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:38am

Stocks

Australian shares tread water as miners offset gains in banks; market eyes ceasefire talks

The S&P/ASX 200 index was 0.1% up at 8,541.6 points

Published 26 Mar, 2026 11:35am

Energy

Pakistan curbs gas use as Iran conflict disrupts Qatar LNG supply

Pakistan is ⁠rationing energy through a four-day work week

Published 26 Mar, 2026 10:51am

Stocks

Stocks nosedive, KSE-100 sheds 3.4% amid rising Middle East tensions

Benchmark index settles below 153,000

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 05:49pm

Bullion Rate

Gold steady as markets assess Mideast ceasefire talks

Spot gold was steady at $4,503.29 per ounce
US gold futures for April delivery lost 1.2% to $4,500

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 12:23pm

Energy

ADNOC CEO calls any Iran curbs on Hormuz passage ‘economic terrorism’

"When Iran holds Hormuz hostage, every ⁠nation pays the ransom, at the gas pump, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy," Al Jaber said

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 12:22pm

Stocks

Stocks on edge as Middle East ceasefire talks take centre stage

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged 0.23% lower, set for a 8.7% decline in the month

Published 26 Mar, 2026 08:11am

Forex

Dollar strengthens as confidence recovers, Fed hike bets trimmed

Against the yen , the US dollar was flat at 159.41 yen, holding near its strongest levels since 2024

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 12:24pm

Energy

Oil rises as investors fear further Middle East escalation

Brent futures rose $4.77, or 4.7%, to $106.99 a barrel
US WTI crude futures gained $3.74, or 4.1%, to $94.06 a barrel, after rising to as much as $94.84

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 05:50pm

Companies

Epic Games to cut more than 1,000 jobs

BENGALURU: Epic Games said on Tuesday it would cut more than 1,000 jobs after a drop in engagement for “Fortnite,”...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Companies

Unity Foods moves toward mediation in sponsor dispute

KARACHI: Unity Foods Limited appears to be entering a critical phase of resolution in its ongoing sponsor-level...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Companies

Global commodity trader Vitol increased turnover, traded more oil, in 2025

LONDON: Global commodities trading house Vitol increased revenues and traded more oil in 2025 compared with 2024, it...

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 05:34am

Energy

Brazil’s Petrobras to discuss deepwater partnership with Pemex

MEXICO CITY: Brazil’s Petrobras will discuss a possible partnership with Mexico’s Pemex during a visit to Mexico...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

HSBC appoints first chief AI officer as it seeks cost cuts

LONDON: HSBC has appointed David Rice as its first chief AI officer, the British bank said on Monday, as it seeks to...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Energy

Trump’s approval hits new 36 pc low as fuel prices surge amid Iran war: poll

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell in recent days to its lowest point since he returned to...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Energy

US natgas futures drop on possible plan to end Iran war

NEW YORK: US natural gas futures eased about 1percent on Wednesday as the gas market followed a drop in global...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Companies

10 companies to take part in Techtextil and Texprocess 2026

KARACHI: The global textile community will come together this April in Frankfurt at Techtextil 2026 and Texprocess...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Industry

LCCI hosts awareness session on policies related to women

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted an awareness session on government policies related to...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Companies

D&B receives AI certification for second year

KARACHI: Dun & Bradstreet has received the TRUSTe Responsible AI Certification from TrustArc for the second...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Companies

TMC named global winner at 2026 SAP Partner Awards

KARACHI: TMC was declared the Global Winner at the 2026 SAP Partner Awards in the category ‘Customer Transformation...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Companies

Solcraft and ORKO announce strategic partnership

KARACHI: Solcraft, a renewable energy solutions provider and ORKO, an AI-powered EV charging, fleet & fuel...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

KP Excise Dept seals multiple property units for tax defaults

PESHAWAR: The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have intensified its action...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

SECP approves seven pension funds for Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved seven pension funds for the...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

ME conflict: airfares already hiked, but worse is yet to come?

ISLAMABAD: The ongoing Middle East conflict has driven airfares up by 30 to 70 percent due to a sharp rise in fuel...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

Illegal tobacco trade major economic challenge

ISLAMABAD: Mubashir Akram, Country Director, ACT Alliance Pakistan said Wednesday that illegal trade has grown into...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Energy

PESCO implements austerity measures

PESHAWAR: Chief Executive Officer Pesco, Engr. Akhtar Hamid Khan, said that in view of the prevailing global and...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

‘Economy starts showing signs of revival and stability’

HYDERABAD: A member supreme council of Businessmen Panel (progressive) of FPCCI and former Hyderabad Chamber of...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

‘Govt actively transitioning towards digital and cashless economy’

ISLAMABAD: Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday said Pakistan is actively transitioning towards a...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Business & Finance

FPCCI praises PD over successful declaration of CMOD

ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has appreciated the Power Division...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

World

Social media addiction trial: US jury finds Meta and Google liable

LOS ANGELES: A Los Angeles jury found Alphabet’s Google and Meta liable for $3 million in damages on Wednesday in a...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

World

Ex-Google chief Matt Brittin made new BBC DG

LONDON: The BBC named a former Google executive with no television or journalism experience as its next...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Companies

Maersk says ME has pressing need for food imports

OSLO: The Middle East region has a “pressing need” for food imports that have been disrupted by the outbreak of war...

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 07:30am

Business & Finance

Oil prices drop 2pc

NEW YORK: Oil prices slid about 2 percent on Wednesday after paring deeper losses earlier in the trading session, as...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Energy

Oil Price Differential Claims: Ogra receives first tranche of Rs27bn

ISLAMABAD: On the directives of the Prime Minister, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has received the...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

Energy

OGDCL uncovers major crude oil theft, illegal refinery

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has uncovered a major crude oil theft operation and...

Published 26 Mar, 2026 05:00am

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
Tokyo Nikkei / Jul 24	64,611.15
Nasdaq / Jul 24	24,975.82
Hang Seng / Jul 24	24,963.23
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

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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