News

C/A slips into $420m deficit

Pakistan's current account slipped into a deficit of $420 million in January 2025, marking the highest monthly deficit since June 2024. This comes after the country posted a surplus of $474 million in December 2024, reflecting renewed pressure on the external account amid rising imports and foreign payment obligations. Supported by robust remittances, the country's current account posted a surp

Bulls dominate as PSX rises by nearly 1,400 points with experts citing ‘good corporate results’

Bulls dominated the trading floor on Tuesday at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) as shares rose by nearly 1,400 points, with experts citing “good corporate results” as the reason for the uplift. The rise comes after the market sustained a three-week losing streak, despite bearish performances in the last three sessions due to political noise and reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donal

Arif Habib posts Rs5.99bn profit

Arif Habib Corporation Ltd (AHCL) reported a 10.12 per cent increase in its consolidated after-tax profit to Rs5.986 billion during the six-month period ended Dec 31, 2024, compared to Rs5.43bn in the same period last year. This translated into earnings per share of Rs14.66, up from Rs13.30 a year ago. On an unconsolidated basis, the corporation posted a profit after tax of Rs15.15bn (earnings

Cut in interest rate jacks up auto financing

The downward trend in the interest rates has pushed up auto financing to Rs241.6 billion in January from Rs235.45bn in December 2024, data released by the State Bank of Pakistan showed. In the last seven months, cutting interest rates to 12pc from 22pc has lured cash-rich customers towards auto financing of new and used vehicles. In June 2022, auto financing was at its peak of Rs368bn. An an

Rice drives raw food exports to $4.6bn

Pakistan’s raw food exports rose 8.17 per cent to $4.62 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year compared to $4.26bn in the corresponding period last year, mainly driven by a significant rise in rice shipments. The exports have risen for 18 consecutive months despite unprecedented food inflation in the country’s history. As a result, consumers nationwide are paying hi