News Archives for Business & Finance - 2026-08-20

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Business & Finance - 2026-08-20

Markets

Govt increases diesel price by Rs1.64, petrol's by Re0.27 per litre

New prices will be effective for Friday, August 21

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:43pm

Business & Finance

Rising LPG prices push Karachi tea cafes back to coal

LPG prices in Pakistan have risen sharply in recent months, with Iran-US conflict adding further pressure to already volatile market

Published 20 Aug, 2026 09:50pm

South Asia

India regulator bets on trading reforms to reverse foreign capital flight

India's market regulator is overhauling rules to attract foreign capital, aiming to boost its global stock market index weighting

Published 20 Aug, 2026 09:08pm

Markets

Why India's market regulator barred a JPMorgan entity from the country's securities market

India's SEBI bars JPMorgan's Copthall for manipulating Sensex prices via a new closing auction, citing "manipulative" trading

Published 20 Aug, 2026 09:03pm

Markets

India's individual equity derivatives traders fall about 20% in fiscal 2026, regulator says

Indian equity derivatives saw an accelerated exit of 4.6 million traders in FY26, as participants faced over $21 billion in aggregate losses

Published 20 Aug, 2026 09:00pm

Technology

Google launches Digital Pasban to boost online safety in Pakistan

Commits $500,000 through Google.org to equip 200,000 households with Urdu-language digital safety tools

Published 20 Aug, 2026 08:40pm

Markets

India's largest private lender eyes $1 billion overseas debt raise, bankers say

HDFC Bank and other Indian lenders are urgently raising dollar bonds, racing against the August 31 deadline for a crucial FX swap

Published 20 Aug, 2026 08:12pm

Energy

Saudi June crude exports climb from record May low, data shows

The country’s crude oil production increased to 7.122 million bpd

Published 20 Aug, 2026 08:04pm

Business & Finance

SBP-held forex reserves rise by $25mn to $17.08bn

Country's total liquid foreign reserves stand at $22.51 bn

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 10:11pm

South Asia

India's infrastructure output rises 5.4% y/y in July

Cement output rose 13.1% in July from a revised 9.9% increase in June

Published 20 Aug, 2026 07:46pm

Financial

Investors dump India bonds after hawkish RBI minutes

The yield on the benchmark 6.94% 2036 bond climbed 5 basis points to 6.8709%

Published 20 Aug, 2026 07:42pm

Business & Finance

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to deepen agriculture, food trade cooperation

Two sides are also likely to sign MoU on establishment of Pakistan-Saudi Agri Investment Fund

Published 20 Aug, 2026 07:20pm

Markets

Indian central bank deputy urges banks to improve retail foreign exchange services

RBI's Rohit Jain reveals Indian banks' retail forex policies have gaps, requiring clearer rules for customer charges and remittance timelines

Published 20 Aug, 2026 06:52pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares close flat as IT gains offset healthcare losses

CSE All Share index settled down 0.05% at 21,405.62

Published 20 Aug, 2026 06:49pm

South Asia

India weighs low-cost loans for renewable projects hit by power curbs, sources say

India plans low-cost loans for renewable energy firms to offset losses from grid issues and boost green power delivery

Published 20 Aug, 2026 05:26pm

Stocks

FTSE 100 falls as JD Sports tumbles on profit warning

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index dipped 0.2% to 10,723.02 points

Published 20 Aug, 2026 05:15pm

Companies

India bars Niva Bupa from opening branches for six months due to expense breach

India's regulator has banned Niva Bupa from new business for six months due to a significant breach of expense limits

Published 20 Aug, 2026 05:07pm

Companies

Alibaba's quarterly revenue up 9%, misses adjusted profit due to heavy AI spend

Alibaba's revenue grew 9% thanks to strong AI cloud demand, but heavy investment in AI infrastructure led to a quarterly profit miss

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:55pm

Markets

Coal India plans Singapore trading hub in hunt for critical mineral assets, sources say

Coal India sets up its first overseas office in Singapore, strategically expanding into global critical mineral and iron ore markets

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:51pm

Commodities

Copper slips as inventories build; weak dollar offers support

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.4% at $13,988 a metric ton

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:48pm

Stocks

Indian shares snap losing run led by IT, financials as bond markets steady

Nifty 50 rose 0.64% to 24,231.85, ending a seven-session losing streak

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:36pm

Exchange

Pakistan rupee records gain against US dollar

Settles at 277.57

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 08:24pm

Bullion Rate

Gold price per tola gains massive Rs13,700 in Pakistan

Reaches Rs471,936

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 06:08pm

Forex

Indian rupee spins wheels in thin band, shorts await fresh entry points

Indian rupee closed at 95.7050 per dollar

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:23pm

Markets

Indian Oil close to signing LPG import deal with Algeria's Sonatrach for 2027; sources say

Indian Oil Corp secures a 2027 deal with Algeria for monthly LPG, diversifying India's energy sources post-Middle East supply issues

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:21pm

Money & Banking

Samba Bank apppoints Fahad Ali Al Hunaiti as chairman

Al Hunaiti is a seasoned financial executive with 17 years of experience

Published 20 Aug, 2026 03:10pm

Markets

Pakistan expects up to $100mn under first DPR programme

Finance minister emphasised the importance of diversifying Pakistan’s sources of foreign currency financing

Published 20 Aug, 2026 02:29pm

Industry

SECP proposes mandatory timelines for insurance claims

Life insurance claims would have to be decided within 20 days of receiving the required documents

Published 20 Aug, 2026 12:56pm

Forex

South African rand flat as investors mull US Treasury move

The rand traded at 16.09 against the dollar , unchanged from its previous close

Published 20 Aug, 2026 12:44pm

Stocks

European shares muted as higher oil prices counter bond recovery

The pan-European STOXX 600 held its ground at 651.44 points

Published 20 Aug, 2026 12:41pm

Markets

Indian central bank likely intervenes to limit pressure on rupee, traders say

The Indian rupee was at 95.6350 per dollar, up 0.1% form its previous close

Published 20 Aug, 2026 11:36am

Stocks

Australian shares gain on strength from gold, mining stocks

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.3% to 9,072.30

Published 20 Aug, 2026 11:33am

Stocks

Japan's Nikkei share gauge rallies as bond market jitters subside

The benchmark Nikkei 225 advanced 1% to 65,982.49 as of the midday break

Published 20 Aug, 2026 11:32am

Markets

Uganda's export earnings up 11.3% y/y in June

The growth was primarily driven by higher earnings from shipments of gold and cotton

Published 20 Aug, 2026 11:17am

Mutual Funds

RBI's surprisingly hawkish tone in policy minutes weighs on Indian bonds

The yield on the benchmark 6.94% 2036 bond was at 6.8382%

Published 20 Aug, 2026 11:09am

Forex

China's yuan gets stronger after dollar slumps overnight

The onshore yuan touched 6.7203 per dollar in early trading, the strongest level since February 2023

Published 20 Aug, 2026 11:03am

Commodities

Copper holds above $14,000 as weak dollar offsets rise in LME inventory

Benchmark three-month copper on the LME was down 0.04% at $14,043.5 a ton

Published 20 Aug, 2026 11:01am

Markets

Samsung Electroncis to announce more than $72 billion shareholder return programme, media reports

Samsung will spend 50% of its free cash flow on the new programme, the report said

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:57am

Energy

ADNOC launches ninth spot crude tender since June, sources say

Bids are due by August 24 and will remain valid until August 26, the sources said

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:56am

Stocks

South Korean shares soar more than 6% as chipmakers rebound

The benchmark KOSPI was up 407.48 points, or 6.30%, at 6,878.65

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:52am

Business & Finance

Pakistan, South Korea move closer to CEPA

Once finalised, it would open new avenues for Pakistani exporters and further strengthen bilateral economic relations

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:51am

Stocks

China, Hong Kong stocks rise on healthcare, tech advance

Hang Seng climbed 1.5% after a nearly flat session on Wednesday

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:50am

Mutual Funds

JGBs rise after US Treasury acts to bring down borrowing rates

The benchmark 10-year JGB yield dropped 5.5 basis points (bps) to 2.835%

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:46am

Commodities

Chicago corn rises on mixed yield prospects across US Midwest

The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) gained 0.4% to $5.00 a bushel

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:42am

Forex

Australia, NZ dollars gain from greenback's bond angst

The Aussie did take a knock after data showed employment fell 15,800 in June when analysts had looked for a gain of 15,000

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:39am

Forex

Thai baht/US dollar stronger on Thursday

The baht was 0.11% higher at 32.83 versus the dollar, after trading in a range of 32.805 to 32.883

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:38am

Business & Finance

National fisheries policy being prepared to unlock $10bn potential: minister

Work on establishing a one-window operation, modelled on the Khidmat Centres, had been completed

Published 20 Aug, 2026 10:33am

Stocks

PSX: KSE-100 Index closes marginally lower after volatile trading

Benchmark index settles at 176,591.77

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 07:08pm

Forex

Indian rupee to rise on dollar slump after Treasury boosts bond buyback; oil risk persists

The Indian rupee is expected to open in 95.62-95.66 range, per traders, having settled at 95.7525 to the dollar on Wednesday

Published 20 Aug, 2026 08:22am

Markets

Citi, HSBC, StanChart adopt Ant International’s forex AI tool

The launch comes amid an accelerating global race among financial institutions to embed AI into their ‌core ⁠operations

Published 20 Aug, 2026 08:05am

Stocks

Indian shares set to open higher as global bond markets steady

GIFT Nifty futures were at 24,241 points

Published 20 Aug, 2026 08:01am

Stocks

Bonds steady after US Treasury comes to the rescue

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan and Japan’s Nikkei rising 1.2% each

Published 20 Aug, 2026 07:57am

Forex

Dollar hugs three-month lows as Treasury seeks to sooth the bond market

The ‌dollar index , which measures the US currency against six other units, was at 98.938, around its lowest level since mid-May

Published 20 Aug, 2026 07:51am

Bullion Rate

Gold hovers near early-June high on lower bond yields

Spot gold was little ‌changed at $4,512.19 per ounce

Published 20 Aug, 2026 07:46am

Energy

Oil hits 3-week high on Middle East supply concerns amid war impasse

Brent crude futures for October delivery rose $2.80, or 3.1%, to $94.42 a barrel

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 05:22pm

Business & Finance

Farmers left exposed as local buyers ignore PTB price and quota directives

ISLAMABAD: Tobacco growers across the country are facing significant distress, as several of the buyers who publicly...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Taxes

Tax issues: PRA assures travel agents of support

LAHORE: Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra on Wednesday assured a delegation of the Travel...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Money & Banking

HBL, Pakistan Cables, BCEM and Orient Energy Systems mark successful signing of 7.5MW wind power project

KARACHI: HBL, in partnership with Burj Clean Energy Modaraba (‘BCEM’) and Orient Energy Systems, has successfully...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

Policy dialogue advocates stable EV framework

ISLAMABAD: A policy dialogue Wednesday has called for stable EV framework, and wider charging network for...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Pakistan

Restrictions on sale of urea fertilizer in KP comes under fire in NA

ISLAMABAD: The federal government’s restrictions on sale of urea fertilizer in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came under fire in...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Money & Banking

Soneri Bank announces PAT of Rs2.396bn for 1H’26

KARACHI: The Board of Directors of Soneri Bank Limited, in their 217th meeting held in Karachi on Wednesday,...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Companies

easypaisa and 5th Pillar Family Takaful launch Shariah-Compliant Umrah savings plan

KARACHI: easypaisa, Pakistan’s leading digital bank, has partnered with 5th Pillar Family Takaful to launch the 5th...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Companies

Daraz launches licensed e-pharmacy

KARACHI: Daraz Pakistan has launched its official e-pharmacy, providing customers across the country with a trusted...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

New scanning facilities to help improve cargo clearance

KARACHI: Chief Collector Customs Appraisement Wajid Ali has assured the business community that Customs will utilise...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Pakistan

UAF, HBL to enhance collaboration for agricultural development

FAISALABAD: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) will strengthen their...

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 07:06am

Industry

Pakistan, China exploring baby diaper-making investment options

LAHORE: The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has initiated a business-to-business...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

Private equity ecosystem: Govt has moved to unlock capital flows, says finance minister

ISLAMABAD: The government has moved to unlock greater domestic and foreign long-term capital by developing a...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Energy

Oil prices settle near 4-week high

Brent crude settled at $91.62, up 0.7%. WTI rose 1.1% to $85.83

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 07:42am

Energy

Petrol price up by Rs2.97: Major cut in diesel price announced

ISLAMABAD: Following a meeting with local refineries, the Petroleum Division has announced a major adjustment in...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

Hutchison Ports Pakistan announces USD76m investment

KARACHI: Hutchison Ports Pakistan, the country’s only state-of-the-art deep-water container terminal, has announced...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

Pakistan seeks USD10bn US support, Aurangzeb confirms

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday confirmed that Pakistan has formally sought a USD 10...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

USA

US debt crosses USD40trn threshold after doubling under Trump and Biden

WASHINGTON: Total US debt has topped USD 40 trillion for the first time, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday,...

Updated 20 Aug, 2026 05:07am

Business & Finance

ADB commissions NCAP’s review in collaboration with Ministry

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has commissioned an independent review of the National Clean Air Policy...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Pakistan

Refund claim rejection: FTO terms conduct of RTO officer as unfair, contrary to law

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has termed the conduct of an assessing officer of Regional Tax Office...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Pakistan

ICCI chief lauds Qaiser for longstanding services

ISLAMABAD: President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Tahir Mahmood, has lauded...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Industry

LCCI welcomes national integrated energy plan approval

LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol has welcomed the cabinet...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

Agriculture, livestock, trade, technology & investment: Pakistan, Ethiopia to enhance collaboration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in agriculture and explore new avenues...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

Transport bodies from Punjab, Sindh agree on joint course

LAHORE: Office-bearers of Goods and Transport Associations from Punjab and Sindh agree on a joint course of action...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

Business & Finance

Tunisia Chargé d’Affaires sees new trade scope under PTA

ISLAMABAD: The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Tunisia will create new opportunities for...

Published 20 Aug, 2026 04:19am

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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