News Archives for Business & Finance - 2026-08-19

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Business & Finance - 2026-08-19

Markets

Diesel gets massive Rs32.63 cut as petrol price rises Rs2.97 per litre

New prices will be effective for Thursday, August 19

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 12:16am

Business & Finance

EU €20mn programme: UNIDO, SEDF award grants to 17 SMEs in Sindh

Grants awarded under programme named Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh

Published 19 Aug, 2026 10:41pm

Technology

Pakistan freelancers’ earnings surge 45% YoY in July

Freelancers generate $175.439 million in July 2026, compared with $120.556 million in same month of 2025

Published 19 Aug, 2026 09:41pm

Companies

India's IndiGo reservation platform issues disrupt some bookings, check-in

Several people complained to the airline on X that they were unable to book flights or complete online check-in

Published 19 Aug, 2026 08:56pm

Stocks

Global shocks, IPO wave could temper India's earnings-led market revival, Abakkus Investment says

'Domestically, consumer demand and corporate profitability is strong as seen in the better-than-expected Q1 results, but globally, they are not'

Published 19 Aug, 2026 08:53pm

South Asia

India regulator bars two over Dhenu Buildcon fabricated loan scheme, inflated market value

India’s markets regulator on Wednesday barred two individuals linked to Dhenu Buildcon Infra from the securities...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 08:48pm

Business & Finance

Govt to announce over Rs30 reduction in diesel price after refinery talks

Petroleum minister says OGRA will notify the new prices soon

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 09:32pm

Commodities

Gold surges over 3% as US Treasury announcement hurts yields, dollar

Spot gold climbed 3.5% to $4,486.88 per ounce

Published 19 Aug, 2026 08:02pm

Stocks

UAE stocks fall after missile scare; Qatar at over one-year low

Abu Dhabi’s benchmark index fell 0.9%

Published 19 Aug, 2026 07:41pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares fall as healthcare, IT stocks drag

CSE All Share index settled down 0.29% at 21,416.57

Published 19 Aug, 2026 07:34pm

South Asia

Sri Lanka launches tourism push to reach $4.2 billion target

Tourism is the third-largest foreign exchange earner in the country of 22 million

Published 19 Aug, 2026 07:30pm

Companies

Hyundai Motor India to raise car prices by up to 1% from September

Hyundai Motor India said on Wednesday it will increase vehicle prices by up to 1% across its portfolio from...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 06:34pm

Financial

Oil pain pins India bonds in range; RBI minutes to give next cue

Indian benchmark 6.94% 2036 bond yield ended at 6.8170%

Published 19 Aug, 2026 06:26pm

Companies

Kotak Mahindra joins peers in tapping dollar debt before RBI window shuts

The private lender will pay a coupon of 5.4780%, 108 basis points above U.S. Treasuries

Published 19 Aug, 2026 06:21pm

Companies

Nishat Mills to exit dairy venture with Turkish partner Sutas

Transaction to encourage continued participation of foreign investors in Pakistan's economy, says Nishat

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48pm

Forex

Indian central bank likely intervenes to shield rupee from oil strain, traders say

MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India likely stepped into the foreign exchange market on Wednesday to shield the rupee...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:43pm

Energy

India offers city gas suppliers incentives to boost domestic piped connections

India boosts piped gas connections with new incentives for distributors, aiming to reduce LPG imports amid rising global fuel costs

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:39pm

Companies

Charles Schwab to scale India centre workforce to 2,000 by 2027

Charles Schwab plans to bring some technology work currently handled by contractors in India in-house at this centre

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:35pm

Markets

India regulator asks brokers to accept orders during closing auction transition to boost liquidity, brokers say

India's market regulator now permits orders during the 5-minute closing auction transition, enhancing market liquidity and price discovery

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:30pm

Business & Finance

Pakistan seeks $10bn US Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility, Aurangzeb confirms

Says negotiations ongoing with US

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 07:57pm

Exchange

Pakistan rupee records gain against US dollar

Settles at 277.60 against greenback

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 06:35pm

Taxes

Govt launches Retailer Scheme App to bring millions into tax net

By the first week of September, the app will also be available in local languages

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:12pm

Forex

Indian rupee hits three-week low, traders wary about fall to 96/USD as RBI stands guard

The Asian currency closed at 95.7525 per dollar

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:02pm

Stocks

India's Nifty logs longest losing streak in 11 months on higher crude, Treasury yields

Nifty 50 slid 0.32% to 24,078.30 and the Sensex lost 0.42% to 76,909.68

Published 19 Aug, 2026 03:59pm

Business & Finance

Hutchison Ports Pakistan to invest $76mn in major upgrade

Terminal has already received its first batch of 20 e-trucks, 10 trailers, a reach stacker, and an empty handler this year

Published 19 Aug, 2026 03:07pm

Business & Finance

PM Shebaz asks petroleum minister to travel to Karachi over fuel prices

Wants Ali Pervaiz Malik to reduce price of locally produced diesel

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 04:01pm

Commodities

Gold price per tola drops Rs3,700 in Pakistan

International rate of gold declines $37 to reach $4,358 per ounce

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 06:17pm

Companies

Murree Brewery, Systems Limited, Sazgar make it to Forbes 'Asia’s Best Under A Billion' list

The small and midsized companies appearing on the list are successfully navigating the challenges of geopolitical tensions and volatile energy markets, says Forbes

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 04:29pm

Markets

China's Chery Automobile to set up UK research centre

The facility, which will be at the vehicle development and testing centre UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire

Published 19 Aug, 2026 01:21pm

Markets

ECB's Rehn says wage growth remains moderate, no second-round effects

The ⁠ECB’s next monetary policy announcement is ⁠scheduled for September 10

Published 19 Aug, 2026 01:15pm

Markets

Kenya Airways says its fuel cost up 72% due to Middle East conflict

One of Africa’s largest airlines, Kenya Airways is due to announce its 2026 half-year results early next week

Published 19 Aug, 2026 01:10pm

Markets

Indian steel mills face margin squeeze as global coking coal prices rise

Coking coal accounts for nearly 40% of steel production costs

Published 19 Aug, 2026 01:07pm

Energy

PD sets deadline for DISCOs to install AMI meters on 90% of govt connections

All DISCOs across the country commence replacement of existing meters on government premises

Published 19 Aug, 2026 12:09pm

Forex

South African rand steady before domestic inflation data

The rand traded at 16.2550 against the dollar , a whisker away from its previous close

Published 19 Aug, 2026 12:05pm

Mutual Funds

India bonds to consolidate after selloff as traders digest oil risks

The benchmark 6.94% 2036 bond yield is expected to trade between 6.80% and 6.85%

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:55am

Forex

Thai baht/US dollar weaker on Wednesday

The baht was 0.14% lower at 33.13 versus the dollar, after trading in a range of 33.110 to 33.163

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:53am

Forex

China's yuan firmer on weaker dollar, strong fixing

The spot yuan was 0.07% higher at 6.7408 to the dollar

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:26am

Commodities

Soybeans extend rally as US crop concerns mount

Corn and wheat also gained

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:25am

Stocks

Australia shares fall as bank, gold stocks weigh

The S&P/ASX 200 index was down 0.3 % to 9043 points

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:20am

Forex

Australian dollar finds fleeting support from RBA rate talk as stocks slip

A break under $0.7080 would risk a pullback to the $0.7026/0.7040 level

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:18am

Commodities

Crude palm oil prices to stay above 4,600 ringgit per tonne in September, MPOC says

Palm Oil Council said on Wednesday that crude palm oil prices were expected to stay firm above 4,600 ringgit ($1,133.56) per tonne

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:17am

Stocks

Japan's Nikkei slumps sharply as tech sell-off spreads

The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 2.97% to 65,459.71 in early trading

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:16am

Companies

Waves Home Appliances plans Rs1.5bn right issue to fund expansion, repay loan

Waves will issue 150.02 million new ordinary shares at Rs10 per share

Published 19 Aug, 2026 11:02am

Stocks

Bond selloff slows but stocks wobble

The 10-year and 30-year bund yields hit their highest since 2011

Published 19 Aug, 2026 10:50am

Stocks

China stocks fall as chip, robotics sell-off overshadows Unitree IPO; HK inches up

China’s blue-chip CSI300 Index was down 2.4% by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 2%

Published 19 Aug, 2026 10:40am

Stocks

PSX: KSE-100 settles 1,100 points lower amid late selling

Benchmark index settles at 176,846.36

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 05:56pm

Forex

Indian rupee may slip on oil, risk-off mood; RBI once again expected to ride to rescue

The Indian rupee is expected to open ‌in the 95.75 to 95.80 range, traders said, compared with 95.68 on Tuesday

Published 19 Aug, 2026 08:07am

Markets

Nvidia H200 chips reach China in small shipments, FT reports

ByteDance and Tencent have each received about 10,000 ⁠H200 processors in recent weeks

Published 19 Aug, 2026 08:01am

Stocks

Indian shares set for muted start as higher oil prices, Treasury yields weigh

GIFT Nifty futures were at 24,202.5 points

Published 19 Aug, 2026 07:57am

Forex

Dollar drifts near multi-month lows as Treasury yields ease; Fed minutes awaited

The euro inched higher to $1.1577, remaining close to the two-month high touched earlier this week

Published 19 Aug, 2026 07:54am

Markets

Trump pauses tariffs on Canadian imports, Carney says key work remains

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s office said the deal will include “comprehensive market access for all American goods"

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 11:50am

Bullion Rate

Gold inches higher, focus on Fed minutes

Spot gold was up 0.2% ‌at $4,342.33 per ounce

Published 19 Aug, 2026 07:44am

Energy

Oil prices up 1%, near 3-week high as Middle East crisis escalates

Brent crude futures were up 87 cents, or nearly 1%, at $91.89

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 08:33pm

Energy

KSA resumes oil loadings, sales from inside of Hormuz

SINGAPORE: Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading from inside the Strait of Hormuz last week and has more tankers waiting...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 07:05am

Business & Finance

NA body discusses progress on privatisation of ZTBL, DISCOs

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Tuesday discussed the progress on the privatization of the Zarai Taraqiati Bank...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Money & Banking

Naya Nazimabad, Karachi: Bank Alfalah introduces first one-stop digital ICFC

KARACHI: Bank Alfalah has inaugurated Pakistan’s first Digital Islamic Consumer Finance Centre (ICFC) at Naya...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Money & Banking

Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah commits additional Rs10bn in equity to BML

KARACHI: Bank Makramah Limited (BML) announced that its Board of Directors has approved a proposal for an additional...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Companies

Deceptive marketing: CCP set to develop recommendations for real estate sector

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is set to develop policy and regulatory recommendations for...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Companies

Listing on PSX: SECP approves Offer for Sale prospectus of NNAR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s primary capital market continues to gain momentum as the Securities and Exchange Commission of...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Business & Finance

Tax matters hearing: RTO officials’ absence irks ATIR Multan bench

ISLAMABAD: The Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), Multan Bench, comprising Khurram Shahbaz Butt, Presiding...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Industry

Industrial units: Closure creates concerns about businesses, employment: LCCI

LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol has said the closure of an...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Cotton & Textile

Cotton arrivals surge by 25.48pc in current season: PCGA

LAHORE: Cotton arrivals across Pakistan have surged by 25.48 percent during the current season, reaching 1,113,513...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Companies

NESPAK secures 180 new engineering projects in FY 2025-26

LAHORE: NESPAK, Pakistan’s premier consulting engineering organization, has set an all-time record by securing 180...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Business & Finance

CREB opens 8th International Conference on ADE

LAHORE: The Centre for Research in Economics and Business (CREB) and the Innovation and Technology Centre (ITC) at...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Sports

8th World Taekwondo President’s Cup – Asian Region: Treet Corporation named title sponsor

LAHORE: Treet Corporation Limited has been named title sponsor of the 8th World Taekwondo President’s Cup – Asian...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Money & Banking

ABHI Bank posts Rs1.502bn PAT for H1

KARACHI: ABHI Bank reported a profit after tax of PKR 1.502 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Pakistan

Provincial needs, price stability: TCP assigned one MMTs of wheat import task

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has tasked the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) with initiating the process...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Companies

Disney, ABC sue US regulator over threat to broadcast licenses

WASHINGTON: Walt Disney-owned ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday, accusing the US...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

World

Saudi Arabia tightens anti-crime oversight on UAE-bound bank transfers

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has placed financial transfers to the United Arab Emirates under extra layers of regulatory...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Business & Finance

Economic benefits of Makkah pact essential for country: analyst

KARACHI: The Makkah Defence Pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is highly appreciable and a tremendous...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Business & Finance

FPCCI stresses need to tap economic potential in ECO region

KARACHI: Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Business & Finance

Malik Khuda Bakhsh commends govt’s measures for economic stability

KARACHI: President Pakistan Business Forum (Sindh Region) and Chairman Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA)...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Pakistan

Power firms face over 65,000 complaints to Ombudsman in 7 months

KARACHI: Electricity distribution companies accounted for more than 65,000 complaints lodged with Pakistan’s Federal...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Energy

Oil rises as US-Iran peace hopes fade

NEW YORK: Oil prices were slightly higher on Tuesday, gaining for a third straight session, as prospects for a...

Updated 19 Aug, 2026 07:37am

Business & Finance

Petrol price up by Rs3.34, HSD’s by Rs5.27

ISLAMABAD: The Petroleum Division has announced back to back upward revision in ex-depot fuel prices, effective from...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Business & Finance

Jul C/A deficit narrows 38pc YoY

KARACHI: Pakistan’s current account deficit narrowed by 38 percent year-on-year (YoY) during the first month of the...

Published 19 Aug, 2026 04:48am

Previous Day

BR100
BR30
KSE100
KSE30
KMI30

1D 5D 3M 6M 1Y

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Oct 7	277.22
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Oct 7	277.02
USD to Japanese Yen / Oct 7	157.85
USD to Swiss Franc / Oct 7	0.83
Pound Sterling to USD / Oct 7	1.32
Euro to USD / Oct 7	1.12
SOFR % / Oct 6	3.90

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Oct 7	7,801.77
India Sensex / Oct 7	72,638.70
Tokyo Nikkei / Oct 7	70,035.71
Nasdaq / Oct 7	27,538.69
Hang Seng / Oct 7	24,130.50
FTSE 100 / Oct 7	10,458.50
Dow Jones / Oct 7	51,179.87
Germany DAX 30 / Oct 7	25,104.36
France CAC40 / Oct 7	7,769.21

Item	Value
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Oct 7	89.19
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Oct 7	18,680
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Oct 7	372,458
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Oct 7	4,127.78
Cotton US¢/pound / Oct 7	80.03
Petrol/Litre / Oct 8	396.65
Diesel/Litre / Oct 8	394.94

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
Paramount Mod / Oct 7 First Paramount Modaraba(FPRM)	15.80 ▲ 1.44 (10.03%)
Lse Spac-I Ltd. / Oct 7 Lse Spac-I Limited(SPAC1)	23.39 ▲ 2.13 (10.02%)
Mandviwala / Oct 7 Mandviwala Mauser Plastic Industries(MWMP)	84.88 ▲ 7.72 (10.01%)
Shadman Cotton / Oct 7 Shadman Cotton Mills Limited(SHCM)	74.09 ▲ 6.74 (10.01%)
Treet Corp / Oct 7 Treet Corporation Limited(TREET)	23.07 ▲ 2.1 (10.01%)
Ali Asghar / Oct 7 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	44.56 ▲ 4.05 (10%)
Data Agro / Oct 7 Data Agro Limited(DAAG)	92.55 ▲ 8.41 (10%)
Dadex Eternit / Oct 7 Dadex Eternit Limited(DADX)	174.91 ▲ 15.9 (10%)
J.A.Textile / Oct 7 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	39.94 ▲ 3.63 (10%)
MACPAC Films / Oct 7 MACPAC Films Limited(MACFL)	76.91 ▲ 6.99 (10%)

Stock	Price
LSE Financial Serv. / Oct 7 LSE Financial Services Limited(LSEFSL)	3.44 ▼ -0.48 (-12.24%)
Azgard Nine (Non-Voti) / Oct 7 Azgard Nine (Non-Voti)(ANLNV)	7.57 ▼ -0.97 (-11.36%)
Asim Textile / Oct 7 Asim Textile Mills Limited(ASTM)	81.72 ▼ -9.08 (-10%)
Popular Islamic / Oct 7 Popular Islamic Modaraba(PIM)	64.01 ▼ -7.11 (-10%)
Pakistan Credit Rating Agency / Oct 7 The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Ltd(GEMPACRA)	43.33 ▼ -4.67 (-9.73%)
Noon Sugar / Oct 7 Noon Sugar Mills Limited(NONS)	83.14 ▼ -7.42 (-8.19%)
Fateh Ind. / Oct 7 Fateh Industries Limited(FIL)	262.16 ▼ -22.46 (-7.89%)
Fateh Sports / Oct 7 Fateh Sports Wear Limited(FSWL)	133.98 ▼ -11.07 (-7.63%)
S.S.Oil / Oct 7 S.S.Oil Mills Limited(SSOM)	401.66 ▼ -28.92 (-6.72%)
Century Ins. / Oct 7 Century Insurance Company Limited(CENI)	56.28 ▼ -3.64 (-6.07%)

Stock	Volume
K-Electric Ltd. / Oct 7 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	82,659,125 ▲ 0.45
Cnergyico PK / Oct 7 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	68,756,886 ▼ -0.2
Pak Refinery / Oct 7 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	44,141,519 ▼ -0.06
Tasdeeq Info. Serv. / Oct 7 Tasdeeq Information Services Limited(TISL)	42,719,357 ▲ 0.04
Waves Home Appliances / Oct 7 Waves Home Appliances Limited(WAVESAPP)	30,549,672 ▲ 0.65
WorldCall Telecom / Oct 7 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	26,045,805 ▲ 0
Dewan Cement / Oct 7 Dewan Cement Limited(DCL)	15,285,606 ▼ -0.05
Pak Int.Bulk / Oct 7 Pakistan International Bulk Terminal(PIBTL)	12,669,746 ▼ -0.06
Media Times Ltd / Oct 7 Media Times Limited(MDTL)	11,935,285 ▲ 0.4
TPL Properties / Oct 7 TPL Properties Limited(TPLP)	11,557,812 ▲ 0.16

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