News

Nestlé Pakistan delivers healthy growth in Q1 2026

Nestlé Pakistan net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2026, amounted to PKR 54 billion, representing a healthy growth of 7.2 percent, said the results announced at a meeting of the Board of Directors. The sales performance was driven by accelerated investment behind the brands, and targeted trade executions, capitalizing on Ramazan and Eid occasions, the meeting was informed whic

Asia shares mixed, oil advances on US-Iran deadlock

Asia shares struggled on Friday and oil prices resumed their rise, as a shaky ceasefire in the Middle East war and stalled ​US-Iran peace talks gave investors little to cheer. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3% and was set to end ‌the week with a 0.8% gain, while Japan’s Nikkei added 0.45% and stocks in South Korea, China and Hong Kong fell. Nasdaq futures a

SBP seen holding rates as oil shock splits analysts

Pakistan’s central bank is expected to hold its key policy rate at 10.5% at its upcoming meeting, according to a Reuters poll, though some analysts warn that rising oil prices from the Iran-US conflict could prompt the first rate hike in nearly two years. Six of the 10 analysts surveyed expect the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to keep the rate unchanged in its next meeting on Monday, while three

Market expert expects status quo in upcoming MPC amid global uncertainty

Market analysts expect the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to keep the policy rate unchanged at 10.5% in its upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting to be held on Monday. “The world is negotiating peace amid uncertainty; therefore, at a time like this, we believe policy must continue to lean toward discipline over impulse. We expect the SBP to keep the policy rate unchanged at 10.5% in th

Dollar set for weekly gain on stalled US-Iran talks and Middle East uncertainty

The ​dollar was on track for its first weekly gain in three weeks on Friday, as stalled peace negotiations between the US ‌and Iran dampened hopes for an immediate easing of Middle East tensions. While Lebanon and Israel extended their ceasefire for three weeks ahead of its expiration on Sunday, Iran showed off its control over the Strait of Hormuz by releasing footage of its commandos storming