News

Global airlines slash 2026 profit forecast on fuel shock from Iran war

The global airline industry nearly halved its 2026 profit forecast on Sunday, citing conflict in the Middle East that has driven up fuel costs, disrupted key air corridors and exposed the fragility of a sector operating on thin margins. The International Air Transport Association, which represents more than 370 airlines accounting for about 85% of global air traffic, said in its annual report t

Weekly Cotton Review: New crop season brings mixed price trends

Pakistan’s cotton sector is navigating a turbulent period as the new crop season brings mixed price trends, tightening supplies, and record-low cultivation figures that have collectively raised alarm across the textile industry. The overall trading activity in seed cotton has once again become restricted due to declining supply, compounding the challenges already facing one of the country’s most v

OPEC+ approves fourth oil output quota hike since Hormuz closure

OPEC+ agreed on Sunday a fourth increase in its oil output targets in as many months, even though the US war with Iran is still preventing several of the group’s members from pumping more. The war has cut oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz, creating the world’s biggest-ever supply crisis as key OPEC+ members including Saudi Arabia have been unable to supply customers in full since the end of Fe

PSX extends gains, KSE-100 up over 200 points

Buying continued at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining over 200 points during the first half of the trading session on Friday. At 12pm, the benchmark index was hovering at 171,436.00, up by 260.50 points or 0.15%. Buying activity was observed in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies,

Forex reserves down USD10.5m

The country’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 10.5 million during the past week. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country’s total reserves stood at USD 22.636 billion as of May 29, 2026, compared with USD 22.646 billion a week earlier. During the same period, the SBP’s foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 43 million, rising to USD 17.190 billion