News Archives for Business & Finance - 2026-03-31

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Middle East

How Middle East war is driving up shipping costs

Prices have risen because of falling capacity, with ships staying put in the Gulf for fear of attack if they set sail.

Published 31 Mar, 2026 09:14pm

Stocks

Wall St gains on Mideast de-escalation hopes; monthly losses loom

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 627.92 points

Published 31 Mar, 2026 07:53pm

Forex

A perfect storm for the Indian rupee

Foreign investors have largely stayed away from India

Published 31 Mar, 2026 07:42pm

Stocks

Gulf stocks mixed on report Trump weighing end to Iran war

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index gained 0.7%

Published 31 Mar, 2026 06:39pm

Asia

Asia to be hit hardest by Iran war energy crisis: Kpler to AFP

SINGAPORE: Asian nations are facing a major energy crisis as a result of the Iran war, with a sharp fall in crude...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 06:28pm

Middle East

Middle East war pushes eurozone inflation higher

BRUSSELS: Eurozone inflation leapt in March because of surging energy prices caused by the Middle East war, official...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 06:26pm

South Asia

India central bank extends export credit relief to June 2026 amid Middle East crisis

Exporters can continue to realise and repatriate the full value of exports

Published 31 Mar, 2026 06:22pm

Energy

How an Indian LPG tanker escaped Hormuz via an unusual route

The Indian navy confirmed it was escorting Indian-flagged ships after they crossed the strait

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:38pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares drop for fourth straight session as utilities stocks weigh

CSE All-Share index fell 0.12% to 21,066.18

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:21pm

Stocks

Indonesia stock exchange issues implementing rule for 15% free float policy

IDX has raised the minimum free-float of shares, the amount of tradable shares of a company, to 15% from 7.5%

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:02pm

Commodities

Palm logs biggest monthly gain in 4 years

Dalian’s most-active soyoil contract fell 0.12%, while its palm oil contract added 0.74%

Published 31 Mar, 2026 04:51pm

Commodities

Supply fears keep aluminium near four-year peak

Benchmark three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange rose 3.2% to $3,510 a metric ton

Published 31 Mar, 2026 04:25pm

Companies

Lucky Motor signs EV deal with China’s GAC to enter Pakistan auto market

Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC), a Pakistani automobile manufacturer and distributor, has inked an exclusive...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 04:17pm

South Asia

Sri Lanka’s Colombo Consumer Price Index up 2.2% year-on-year in March

The annual inflation rate in the food category increased to 0.7% this month from 0.2% in February

Published 31 Mar, 2026 04:05pm

Companies

Indian billionaire challenges Adani’s winning bid for $4bn in assets, F1 track

Agarwal’s Vedanta has mounted a legal challenge over a creditor committee’s decision to award the assets of Jaiprakash Associates to Adani

Published 31 Mar, 2026 03:59pm

Energy

India diesel exports to SE Asia hit 7-year high in March due to Iran war, data shows

About 1 million metric tons (7.45 million barrels) of diesel have been shipped on this trade route

Published 31 Mar, 2026 03:50pm

Energy

Rooftop solar adoption saves Pakistan $12bn in LNG imports, says study

Demand for other fossil fuels has also been reduced by at least 37%

Published 31 Mar, 2026 02:48pm

Bullion Rate

Gold price per tola gains Rs2,800 in Pakistan

Reaches Rs478,762

Updated 31 Mar, 2026 08:21pm

Technology

Bilal bin Saqib emerges as key link in Pakistan’s crypto-driven outreach to Trump world: report

Pakistan has leveraged its growing engagement with the global cryptocurrency ecosystem to build new channels of...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 01:03pm

Companies

Chemical maker Lucky Core inaugurates animal health manufacturing facility in Punjab

Lucky Core Industries Limited (LCI) announced on Tuesday the inauguration of the veterinary medicine manufacturing...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 12:10pm

Energy

Singapore energy authority warns of rising energy costs amid Middle East conflict

Fuel prices are expected to remain elevated in the foreseeable future, said the authority

Published 31 Mar, 2026 12:09pm

Markets

Microsoft plans $1 billion investment in Thailand, Thai government says

The investment includes developing digital skills of the Thai workforce, the statement said

Published 31 Mar, 2026 12:03pm

Commodities

Aluminium extends gains on lingering fears over prolonged supply shock, China data support

The benchmark three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.69% to $3,458.50 a ton

Published 31 Mar, 2026 12:02pm

Markets

Korean Air to shift to emergency mode in April amid rising oil prices from Iran war

The memo added that the airline plans to implement phased response measures based on oil price levels

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:56am

Energy

Chevron says extensive cyclone damage keeps Wheatstone LNG offline

Chevron on Sunday said Wheatstone was unlikely to resume full production for several weeks because of the damage

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:53am

Markets

Toyota supplier Denso targets 11% return on equity by 2030

Denso made a bid for chipmaker Rohm this month, looking to strengthen its grip on power management chips used in electric vehicles and data centres

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:51am

Markets

Malaysian central bank lifts 2026 growth forecast slightly, flags risks from prolonged Iran war

Inflation was expected to remain moderate in 2026, in part due to policies aimed at cushioning the impact of rising commodity and energy prices, BNM said

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:49am

Commodities

China, Hong Kong stocks set for worst month in over two years on Middle East unrest

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index lost 0.51%

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:47am

Commodities

Palm slips on rival oils, but still eyes best monthly gain in 4 years

The benchmark palm oil contract for June delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange slid 33 ringgit, or 0.69%, to 4,739 ringgit a metric ton

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:45am

Markets

Cathay Pacific’s 10% growth plan could change if fuel prices stay high, CEO says

Cathay Pacific is for now sticking with its plan to expand passenger capacity by 10% this year

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:40am

Mutual Funds

JGBs rally as demand rises at auction, markets eye rate-hike odds

The five-year yield fell 1 bp to 1.770%. Yields move inversely to bond prices

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:39am

Markets

Global banks seek refuge in China stocks as Iran war drags on

Markets have been rattled this month after the Iran war effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:37am

Forex

Australia, NZ dollars on the ropes after rough month

The Aussie looked punch drunk at $0.6852, after falling for eight straight sessions to hit a two-month low of $0.6834

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:34am

Business & Finance

Pakistan’s Symmetry Group recognized in FinanceAsia’s Asia’s Best Companies Poll

Asia’s Best Companies Poll is based on evaluations by investors and financial analysts across the region

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:31am

Forex

Chinese yuan heads for first monthly loss since July

The yuan was 0.11% higher at 6.9053 per dollar

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:27am

Stocks

Australian shares fall as miners weigh; RBA minutes flag inflation concerns

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.5% points to 8,418.60 points

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:25am

Commodities

Wheat rises on US dryness; soybeans, corn ease ahead of planting report

The most-active wheat contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) rose 0.1% to $6.07-3/4 a bushel

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:22am

Forex

Thai baht/US dollar weaker on Tuesday

The baht was 0.18% lower at 32.85 versus the dollar, after trading in a range of 32.705 to 32.970

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:21am

Stocks

Japan’s Nikkei treads water, set to lose 11% in March as Mideast war drags on

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index edged up 0.02% to 51,896.91

Published 31 Mar, 2026 11:19am

Money & Banking

Habib Metropolitan Bank appoints CEO, chairman

Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited (HMB) announced key appointments on Tuesday. The bank shared the information in a...

Updated 31 Mar, 2026 01:18pm

Stocks

Buying returns to bourse, KSE-100 gains 1,900 points amid volatile trade

Benchmark index settles at 148,743.31

Updated 31 Mar, 2026 06:15pm

Bullion Rate

Gold set for worst month in more than 17 years as US rate-cut hopes fade

Spot gold was up 1.5% at $4,578.89 per ounce
US gold futures for April delivery gained 1.2% to $4,611.30

Updated 31 Mar, 2026 12:39pm

Stocks

Brent crude set for record monthly gain; Asia shares falter as Iran war rages

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.55% and on track for a monthly fall of more than 12%

Published 31 Mar, 2026 08:26am

Forex

War sets dollar for monthly rise, yen recovers on intervention threat

The US dollar index touched its highest since last May on Monday at 100.61 and is up 2.9% through March

Updated 31 Mar, 2026 12:42pm

Energy

Brent crude adds to record monthly gains with another surge

Brent crude futures for May were up $5.31, or 4.71%, at $118.09 per barrel

Updated 31 Mar, 2026 08:47pm

Industry

PSMA calls for export of ‘surplus’ sugar

LAHORE: The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) on Monday urged the government to immediately allow export of...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Pakistan

Punjab takes step to boost overseas job opportunities

LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Overseas Employment...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

PRA seals farmhouse, fines outlets for tax evasion

LAHORE: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA), during enforcement operations in various areas of the provincial...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Industry

SMEDA briefs TMA members about 1000 ISUs Project

KARACHI: The Towel Manufacturers Association (TMA) organised a productive Zoom meeting with the Small and Medium...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Money & Banking

Bank AL Habib declares 45pc final cash dividend

LAHORE: The Annual General Meeting of Bank AL Habib Limited was held at the Bank’s premises located at 128-C, Old...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

Top team shake-up: Sazgar Engineering unveils Rs22bn expansion plan

KARACHI: Sazgar Engineering Works Limited has unveiled a major expansion and leadership restructuring plan involving...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Pakistan

Gas cylinder sector: Senate panel underscores need for strict regulatory mechanisms

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat recommended the introduction of strict regulatory...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

FBR initiates disciplinary proceedings against officers

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Customs...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

AfDB says Africa’s growth risks were tilted to downside even before Iran conflict

JOHANNESBURG: The risks to Africa’s economic growth outlook were skewed to the downside even before the Iran...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Italy adopts rules that help credit fund expansion

MILAN: Italy has approved European Union-mandated measures to create a more uniform framework for alternative...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

PetroChina’s 2025 net profit falls 4.5pc on lower oil prices

BEIJING: PetroChina, Asia’s largest oil and gas producer, on Sunday said 2025 annual net profit dropped 4.5 percent...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Sales of goods made in tax-free zones: Senate panel raises alarm over FBR’s weak monitoring

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Monday expressed serious concerns over the lack of effective checks and balances...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Jazz, VEON unveil USD1bn investment plan

ISLAMABAD: In a major boost to Pakistan’s digital future, Jazz and VEON leadership unveiled an ambitious USD 1...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

Pharma sector: Leading Russian insulin maker to invest USD80m

ISLAMABAD: The leading Russian pharmaceutical company M/s Genetics Pharmaceuticals/M/s Zavod Medsintez LLC,...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

New customs values on imported soft drinks fixed

ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi, has issued customs values on the import of branded...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

WTO meet ends in failure

YAOUNDÉ: High-level WTO talks in Cameroon ended early Monday with no significant agreements and a failure to extend...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Energy market stability: G7 economies say ready to take all steps

PARIS: G7 economy and finance ministers Monday said they stood ready to take “all necessary measures” to ensure the...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Energy

Brent crude futures slip

NEW YORK: Brent oil prices slipped on Monday after Group of Seven finance leaders signalled readiness to act to...

Updated 31 Mar, 2026 05:45am

Industry

Senate panel okays Quetta Expo Centre amid concerns over site

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce on Monday approved the current site of the Rs5 billion Quetta...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Brazil’s 2025/26 soybean harvest reaches 75percent of area

SAO PAULO: Brazilian farmers had harvested 75percent of their 2025/26 soybean crop as of last Thursday, agribusiness...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

US natural gas futures fall to one-month low

NEW YORK: US natural gas futures fell more than 5percent on Monday and hit a one-month low, as profit taking kicked...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

US airlines face fuel-driven financial shakeout

CHICAGO: When United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby wrote to employees about the oil price surge earlier this month, the...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

Siemens CEO says customers delaying new projects due to war

BEIJING: German industrial giant Siemens said on Monday that the Iran war has led to customers holding back on new...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

France rules out broad energy aid despite lower deficit

PARIS: French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ruled out on Friday using any fiscal leeway from a...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Canada eyes Mercosur pact by autumn

YAOUNDE: Canada’s minister of international trade said on Friday that he hopes to conclude a free-trade agreement...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

Apple to bring paid ads to maps to US, Canada this summer

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple on Tuesday said it plans to introduce paid ads to its maps service in the US and Canada this...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

India’s market regulator plans tougher conflict-of-interest rules for officials

MUMBAI: India’s market regulator on Monday approved stricter conflict-of-interest rules for officials, requiring...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Thai factory output unexpectedly dips in Feb

BANGKOK: Thailand’s manufacturing production index dropped 0.04 percent in February from a year earlier, the...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Norway to reach target of 3.5pc of GDP on defence with new spending boost

OSLO: Norway is to raise defence spending by another 115 billion crowns (USD12 billion) by 2036, the government said...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

US consumer sentiment slides to three-month low

WASHINGTON: US consumer sentiment fell more than expected in March, touching a three-month low, as war in the Middle...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

UK fines Apple unit for breaching Russian sanctions

LONDON: The UK government has fined an Apple subsidiary £390,000 ($516,000) after the US technology giant breached...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

Chevron says repairs to Wheatstone gas facility to take weeks

PERTH: Chevron’s Wheatstone liquefied natural gas facility in Western Australia is unlikely to resume full...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Ethiopia seals USD13bn worth of deals at investment conference

NAIROBI: Ethiopia has secured USD13 billion worth of investment deals, the state investment commission said, after a...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

German inflation spikes to 2.8pc in March as energy costs soar

BERLIN: German inflation accelerated in March due to surging energy prices against the backdrop of the Iran war, and...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

Shell warns Australia against taxing LNG windfall profits

SYDNEY: Shell has warned Australia against introducing a windfall tax on gas exporters, saying such a move would...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

PetroChina says operations ‘overall normal’

BEIJING: PetroChina, Asia’s largest oil and gas producer, is operating overall as normal, with about 10 percent of...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

India’s FX curbs buy rupee some relief but strain bank profits

MUMBAI: The Indian central bank’s surprise cap on forex positions gave the battered rupee a brief reprieve on...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Business & Finance

Biogen gets FDA approval for higher dose of genetic disorder drug

BENGALURU: The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a higher dose of Biogen’s spinal muscular atrophy drug...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Companies

Air Canada CEO to retire after row over English-only condolence message

WASHINGTON: Air Canada said Monday that CEO Michael Rousseau will retire later this year, an announcement following...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Energy

Crude oil and LNG supply are at risk of the worst-possible scenario

LAUNCESTON (Australia): A month after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, global markets for the supply of crude oil,...

Published 31 Mar, 2026 05:24am

Previous Day

BR100
BR30
KSE100
KSE30
KMI30

1D 5D 3M 6M 1Y

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Oct 28	276.97 ▼ -0.03
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Oct 28	276.77 ▼ -0.03
USD to Japanese Yen / Oct 29	157.82 ▼ -0.19
USD to Swiss Franc / Oct 29	0.83 ▼ -0.0001
Pound Sterling to USD / Oct 29	1.33 ▼ -0.0006
Euro to USD / Oct 29	1.11 ▼ -0.0007
SOFR % / Oct 27	3.95 ▲ 0.02

Stock	Volume
India Sensex / Oct 29	73,838.67
Tokyo Nikkei / Oct 29	64,659.47
Hang Seng / Oct 29	23,033.40
FTSE 100 / Oct 29	10,742.97
Germany DAX 30 / Oct 29	25,780.29
France CAC40 / Oct 29	7,943.60
S&P 500 / Oct 28	7,743.98
Nasdaq / Oct 28	26,549.85
Dow Jones / Oct 28	52,475.10

Item	Value
Petrol/Litre / Oct 29	377.91
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Oct 29	101.57
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Oct 29	18,080
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Oct 29	4,032.73
Diesel/Litre / Oct 29	399.82
Cotton US¢/pound / Oct 29	78.14
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Oct 28	364,914

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
Aruj Industries / Oct 29 Aruj Industries Limited(ARUJ)	11.54 ▲ 1.05 (10.01%)
Olympia Mills / Oct 29 Olympia Mills Limited(OML)	96.09 ▲ 8.74 (10.01%)
Sindh Modaraba / Oct 29 Sindh Modaraba(SINDM)	89.27 ▲ 8.12 (10.01%)
Otsuka Pakistan / Oct 29 Otsuka Pakistan Limited(OTSU)	438.02 ▲ 39.82 (10%)
Premium Textile / Oct 29 Premium Textile Mills Limited(PRET)	605 ▲ 55 (10%)
F.Credit & Inv / Oct 29 First Credit and Investment Bank Limited(FCIBL)	115.50 ▲ 8.92 (8.37%)
HI-Tech Lub. / Oct 29 Hi-Tech Lubricants Limited(HTL)	39.12 ▲ 2.34 (6.36%)
Grays Leasing / Oct 29 Grays Leasing Limited(GRYL)	43.89 ▲ 2.54 (6.14%)
Wafi Energy Pak. / Oct 29 Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited(WAFI)	164.99 ▲ 9.17 (5.88%)
Gulshan Sp. / Oct 29 Gulshan Spinning Mills Limited(GSPM)	9.74 ▲ 0.51 (5.53%)

Stock	Price
Bawany Air Products (R) / Oct 29 Bawany Air Products Limited Right(BAPLR1)	5.62 ▼ -1 (-15.11%)
Unicap Modaraba / Oct 29 Unicap Modaraba(UCAPM)	19.05 ▼ -2.12 (-10.01%)
Khairpur Sug. / Oct 29 Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited(KPUS)	1,020.47 ▼ -113.39 (-10%)
Shadman Cotton / Oct 29 Shadman Cotton Mills Limited(SHCM)	66 ▼ -6.45 (-8.9%)
Ellcot Spinning / Oct 29 Ellcot Spinning Mills Limited(ELSM)	166.55 ▼ -15.57 (-8.55%)
D.M. Corporation / Oct 29 D.M. Corporation Limited(DMC)	151 ▼ -13.41 (-8.16%)
Cresent Jute / Oct 29 Crescent Jute Products Limited(CJPL)	12.97 ▼ -1.02 (-7.29%)
Popular Islamic / Oct 29 Popular Islamic Modaraba(PIM)	112 ▼ -8.79 (-7.28%)
Shahzad Tex. / Oct 29 Shahzad Textile Mills Limited(SZTM)	161 ▼ -10.94 (-6.36%)
Maqbool Textile / Oct 29 Maqbool Textile Mills Limited(MQTM)	25 ▼ -1.46 (-5.52%)

Stock	Volume
TPL Corp Ltd / Oct 29 TPL Corp Limited(TPL)	4,972,498 ▲ 1.06
Pervez Ahmed Consultancy / Oct 29 Pervez Ahmed Consultancy Services Ltd.(PASL)	4,438,912 ▲ 0.08
Unicap Modaraba / Oct 29 Unicap Modaraba(UCAPM)	4,432,842 ▼ -2.12
P.T.C.L. / Oct 29 Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd(PTC)	3,290,559 ▲ 1.3
Colony Tex.Mills Ltd / Oct 29 Colony Textile Mills Limited(CTM)	3,022,244 ▲ 0.28
B.O.Punjab / Oct 29 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	2,962,554 ▲ 0.45
TPL Properties / Oct 29 TPL Properties Limited(TPLP)	2,348,045 ▲ 0.02
Cnergyico PK / Oct 29 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	1,758,186 ▲ 0.04
Hascol Petrol / Oct 29 Hascol Petroleum Limited(HASCOL)	1,585,706 ▲ 0.37
Pakistan Refinery / Oct 29 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	1,066,272 ▼ -0.41

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