The World Bank on Thursday forecast a substantial decline in global commodity prices during the current year but Pakistanis would have to brace for 21pc average annual inflation in the next fiscal year. In its latest Commodity Markets Outlook, the World Bank expected global commodity prices to decline this year at the fastest clip since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, clouding the growth pr
The outflow of profits and dividends on foreign investments shrank to a fifth of its last year’s value in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, the central bank data showed on Thursday. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported that the outflow during July-March was $233 million compared to $1.27 billion a year ago — a drop of 81.6pc, or $1.034bn. Since low foreign exchange reser
Foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by a meagre $30 million during the week ended on April 20, while the country’s total reserves crossed the $10bn mark first time in the second half of the current fiscal year. The central bank on Thursday reported that its forex holdings improved to $4.46bn during the week. However, the SBP has yet not received the promi
The compliance department of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has sought a clarification from five listed companies for a “substantial” change in their share prices between March 16 and April 13. One of the five companies is Pakistan Services Ltd (PSEL), which owns and manages the chain of Pearl Continental hotels in Pakistan. It has a free-float of 60 per cent, which means the company’s spons
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed $20.5 billion from its resources in 2022 to help Asia and the Pacific continue their recovery from the pandemic despite fresh economic headwinds and crises. The $20.5bn comprised loans and guarantees, grants, equity investments, and technical assistance provided to governments and the private sector. ADB mobilised an additional $11.4bn in co-financing,