News Archives for Business & Finance - 2026-04-01

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Business & Finance - 2026-04-01

Business & Finance

US retail sales up in February but shock from Mideast war looms

WASHINGTON: US retail sales accelerated more than expected in February, a delayed government report showed...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:34pm

Markets

Luxury carmakers’ gold-leafed profits under threat from Iran war

A key global shipping route is in disarray since the start of the Iran conflict

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:33pm

Markets

Digital economy could contribute up to 7% to GDP by 2030: report

Pakistan’s digital economy has the potential to contribute 5–7% to GDP by 2030, if skill-based literacy, proper...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:11pm

Perspectives

Designing finance for reality: bringing rural women into the economic mainstream

Women role remains largely invisible within formal economic structures, writes Alishba Khan

Published 01 Apr, 2026 10:26pm

Business & Finance

SBP allows teenagers to open, operate bank accounts independently

Central bank says the new framework seeks to bridge a longstanding gap in Pakistan’s financial landscape

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 10:52pm

Currency

India doubles down on curbing Indian rupee speculation after initial steps fall short

The currency fell 4.24% in March

Published 01 Apr, 2026 09:34pm

Markets

India’s RBI bars banks from offering clients rupee non-deliverable forwards amid currency strain

The central bank’s decision to levy the position curbs will target the basis trade arbitrage for banks

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:12pm

Stocks

Dubai leads Gulf stocks higher on hopes of de-escalation in Iran war

Dubai’s main stock index advanced 2%,

Published 01 Apr, 2026 07:31pm

Middle East

UAE petrol jumps 30% as Mideast war bites

DUBAI: United Arab Emirates petrol prices rose more than 30 percent on Wednesday, with diesel soaring 72%, one month...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 07:20pm

Money & Banking

Bank of England warns of Mideast war financial risks

LONDON: The Bank of England on Wednesday said the Middle East war had caused “a substantial negative supply shock to...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 07:19pm

South Asia

India shields pre-2017 foreign investment gains from strict tax rules

This would allay fears of retrospective taxation, a longstanding concern for global investors

Published 01 Apr, 2026 05:36pm

Companies

India’s Maruti Suzuki warns of price hikes as Gulf war raises costs

We will be taking a call, but unfortunately the commodity prices are going very high, we need to pass it on

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:56pm

Energy

IEA warns Middle East oil disruptions set to hit Europe in April

The biggest problem is the lack of jet fuel and diesel which has already affected Asian countries

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:26pm

Commodities

Copper touches two-week high on hopes for quick end to Iran war

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.6% at $12,408 a metric ton

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:23pm

Commodities

Palm oil futures fall despite Indonesia’s biodiesel push

Dalian’s most-active soyoil contract fell 0.92%

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:20pm

Currency

SBP cancels license of Al Sahara Exchange Company

The company is no longer authorised to carry out any type of foreign exchange business

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:19pm

Companies

India allows export zones to sell locally as trade strains grow

The reduced duties vary by product, with customs rates of about 5% to 12.5%

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:16pm

South Asia

India does not plan to revive offshore mining auction in near term, sources say

The blocks contained critical minerals, including cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:12pm

Commodities

Coal India’s sales rise for first time in six months on gas crunch, summer demand

Coal India’s offtake, or sales to customers, rose 0.7% to 69.5 million tons in March

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:05pm

Exchange

Rupee gains further ground against US dollar

Settles at 279.12

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 07:13pm

Stocks

Indian shares join global rally on hopes of Iran war de-escalation

Nifty 50 rose 1.56% to 22,679.40 and the BSE Sensex added 1.65% to 73,134.32

Published 01 Apr, 2026 04:01pm

Statistics

Inflation in Pakistan clocks in at 7.3% in March 2026

Inflation stood at 5.67% in 9MFY26

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 04:54pm

Business & Finance

Govt’s Thar reform targets $30mn savings, lower tariffs

Initiative was projected to deliver substantial national savings

Published 01 Apr, 2026 02:30pm

Markets

IFC commits $2.7bn to Pakistan amid focus on private sector

Discussions focused on further scaling private sector investment, particularly in infrastructure and public-private partnerships

Published 01 Apr, 2026 02:12pm

Commodities

Gold price per tola gains Rs15,300 in Pakistan

Price of silver increases by Rs200 to reach Rs7,984 per tola

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 06:54pm

Stocks

European stocks jump, oil tumbles on Mideast war optimism

The Frankfurt and Paris stock markets jumped more than two percent at the open

Published 01 Apr, 2026 12:29pm

Energy

OGDCL commences hydrocarbon production at Spinwam-1

Says well was completed in Lockhart reservoir

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 02:40pm

Stocks

Supernet Technologies completes post-merger share allotment

Supernet Technologies Limited (STL) has completed a major post-merger step in its corporate reorganization, followed...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 12:21pm

Forex

Thai baht/US dollar weaker on Wednesday

Thai baht weakened against the US dollar on Wednesday

Published 01 Apr, 2026 12:03pm

Mutual Funds

Vietnam raises $133 mln in government bond auction

The uptake was also lower, with 26% of the bonds on offer sold, compared with 37% last week

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:58am

Markets

Gul Ahmed appoints Zaki Bashir as CEO

Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited (GATM), one of the country’s largest textile mills, has appointed Mohammed Zaki...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:57am

Commodities

Indonesia’s March annual inflation cools to 3.48% y/y

The February rate of 4.76% was the highest in nearly three years

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:53am

Commodities

Indonesia’s Jan-Feb coal export volume down 7.9% on year

The shipments were valued at $3.48 billion

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:51am

Energy

Indian fuel retailers raise jet fuel, commercial LPG prices amid Middle East war

Indian fuel retailers raised jet fuel and commercial LPG prices on Wednesday

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:42am

Markets

Qantas, American Airlines get interim Australia nod for trans-Pacific tie-up

The ACCC said it expects to provide a final determination in June

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:32am

Markets

Airline Emirates says Iranian nationals barred from entering or transiting UAE

The restrictions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Gulf states

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:24am

Energy

Nepal raises aviation fuel prices, citing Middle Eastern conflict

Prices for domestic flights have been increased by 97.6%

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:18am

Commodities

Corn rises for second session on outlook for lower US planting

Wheat gained 0.6% at $6.20 a bushel

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:17am

Markets

TSMC plans 3-nanometre chip production launch in Japan in 2028

TSMC CEO CC Wei said the company plans to mass-produce advanced 3-nanometre chips at its second fabrication plant in Japan

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:15am

Energy

Saudi Arabia may set May oil prices to Asia at record high on war disruption

The Dubai cash price's premium to swaps averaged $38.30 a barrel in March, up from an average of 90 cents a barrel in February

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:12am

Commodities

Copper rises to two-week high on hopes for end to Iran war

The benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.03% to $12,463 a metric ton

Published 01 Apr, 2026 11:00am

Stocks

China, Hong Kong stocks join global relief rally on hopes of end to Iran war

China's blue-chip CSI300 Index rebounded 1.4% by the lunch break, heading for its best day in seven weeks

Published 01 Apr, 2026 10:56am

Commodities

Palm extends rise to fifth day on biodiesel boost, firmer Dalian, crude

The benchmark palm oil contract for June delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 41 ringgit, or 0.85%, to 4,869 ringgit a metric ton

Published 01 Apr, 2026 10:53am

Forex

Australia, NZ dollars join risk rally, but oil remains a danger

The Aussie firmed 0.2% to $0.6915, having bounced from a 10-week trough of $0.6834 overnight

Published 01 Apr, 2026 10:42am

Stocks

Australian shares surge on hopes of de-escalation of Mideast conflict

The S&P/ASX 200 index was up 1.6% at 8,618.80 points

Published 01 Apr, 2026 10:40am

Stocks

Japan’s Nikkei jumps after Trump’s comments raise bets for Middle East war de-escalation

The Nikkei rose 3.49% to 52,843.86

Published 01 Apr, 2026 10:38am

Energy

MariEnergies launches project to turn waste emissions into LNG

Mari Energies Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest E&P companies, has partnered with Ghani Chemical Industries...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 10:09am

Stocks

KSE-100 gains over 4.5% amid war de-escalation hopes

Benchmark index settles at 155,511.56

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 06:46pm

Industry

Pakistan and China trade relations: FPCCI Regional Office hosts consultative session

LAHORE: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Office in Lahore hosted a...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:50am

Companies

JazzCash onboards 1 millionth Raast QR-enabled merchant

ISLAMABAD: JazzCash has onboarded its 1 millionth Raast QR-enabled merchant, advancing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sahrif...

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 10:33pm

Business & Finance

Mian Zahid stresses contingency framework amid IMF conditionalities

KARACHI: Mian Zahid Hussain, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum & All Karachi Industrial...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:46am

Pakistan

Pakistan has stable, investment friendly economy: Governor

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi, on Tuesday, said Pakistan was steadily emerging as a stable and...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:39am

Industry

PIBF calls for investor-friendly package

LAHORE: President of the Pak International Business Forum (PIBF), Dr Mushtaq Mangat, and Secretary General Muhammad...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:37am

Industry

SMEDA asks govt to promulgate a unified auto policy

KARACHI: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) on Tuesday urged the government to...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:30am

Companies

Standard Chartered partners with Village Capital, InnoVentures Global

KARACHI: Standard Chartered, in partnership with Village Capital and InnoVentures Global, has announced the launch...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:26am

Industry

SVP FPCCI for expanding trade ties with Iran

KARACHI: Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Chairman BMP-Progressive and Senior Vice President Federation Pakistan Chambers of...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:25am

Stocks

Asia markets rally on optimism Iran war could end soon

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 2.7%, snapping a four-day losing streak as South Korea's Kospi surged as much as 5.5%

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:23am

Companies

Unilever Pakistan, FESF sign MoU

KARACHI: Unilever Pakistan Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Family Educational...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:19am

Stocks

Indian shares set to open higher on hopes Iran war could end soon

GIFT Nifty futures were trading at 22,768

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:19am

Bullion Rate

Gold ticks up as dollar slips on Mideast de-escalation hopes

Spot gold rose 0.4% to $4,685.79 per ounce* US gold ⁠futures for April delivery gained 0.8% to $4,713.40

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 10:47am

Companies

DTI, Meezan Bank enter into strategic partnership

LAHORE: Descon Technical Institute (DTI) and Meezan Bank have entered into a strategic partnership under the Bank’s...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 08:15am

Forex

Dollar stays stable after Trump says Iran war could finish soon

The yen has recovered from this year's low of 160.46 per dollar

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 10:47am

Energy

Oil slides as Middle East uncertainty keeps markets on edge

The front-month Brent contract for June fell $2.06, or 2%, to $101.91 per barrel

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 09:42pm

Companies

CCP imposes Rs265m penalty on two cable companies

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed an aggregated penalty of Rs 265 million on two...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 07:46am

Energy

July–Feb: Consumers provided Rs46.56bn relief: PD

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division said on Tuesday that consumers were provided relief amounting to Rs46.56 billion...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 07:31am

Industry

FCA: industry says will opt for closure

ISLAMABAD: Power sector entities remain uncertain about the financial and operational impact of the ongoing Middle...

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 10:53am

Business & Finance

Petroleum prices, targeted subsidy modalities: Provinces and Centre evaluate circumstances

ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting involving the federal government and the top political leadership of the provinces...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 07:26am

Energy

WTI, June Brent crude futures settle down

HOUSTON: Brent futures for June delivery settled down more than USD3 on Tuesday following unconfirmed media reports...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:59am

Business & Finance

KPT, Romania port sign MoU to enhance maritime cooperation

KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Maritime Ports Administration SA, Port of Constana, Romania on Tuesday signed...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business & Finance

Digital invoices issuance: FBR allows registered persons to engage licensed integrators

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has allowed sales tax-registered persons to engage one or more...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business & Finance

Senate body meets today: Telecom operators, banks will come under scrutiny

ISLAMABAD: Telecom operators and banks will come under scrutiny as the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Energy

LESCO moves to promote AMI smart meters

LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has made a significant progress towards modernizing its power...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Technology

World Backup Day: Users urged to make regular backups & restore info on Window devices

ISLAMABAD: On the World Backup Day, an international cybersecurity company recommended most popular ways to store...

Updated 01 Apr, 2026 06:59am

Industry

VP FCCI meets IGI Finex Securities’ delegation

FAISALABAD: IGI Finex Securities Ltd is making serious efforts to promote the corporate sector and brokerage houses...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Companies

Unilever spins off food unit in multibillion-dollar deal

LONDON: Unilever said Tuesday it had agreed a multibillion-dollar deal with US spices maker McCormick & Company...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

World

Russian oil tanker docks in Cuba after US blockade relief

MATANZAS (Cuba): A Russian oil tanker docked in a Cuban port on Tuesday to deliver the first crude shipment to the...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

World

Indonesia rations fuel as prices soar over Mideast war

JAKARTA: Indonesia on Tuesday announced fuel rationing and mandated work from home for civil servants as it seeks to...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Energy

OPEC oil output plunges in March: Survey

LONDON: OPEC oil output plunged in March to its lowest level since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020,...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Industry

Haroon asks SMEDA to help farmers in preservation of their products

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has directed the...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business & Finance

LCCI president says there’s need to adopt environmentally friendly business models

LAHORE: President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, said that business is not...

Published 01 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Markets

Finance ministry sees inflation reading rising to 7.5-8.5% in March 2026

Inflation rate likely to return into double digits in April 2026, a brokerage house anticipates

Published 01 Apr, 2026 02:35am

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 25	335.18
Diesel/Litre / Jul 25	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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