Business
Cotton zones hit hard by recent floods | The Express Tribune
KARACHI:
The cotton crop across key growing zones has been hit hard by recent rains and floods, raising fears that Pakistan may once again fail to achieve its dream of bumper cotton production in the 2025-26 cotton year.
Alongside flood and rain damage, virus attacks have also been reported in parts of Sindh and in Punjab’s cotton belt with underground freshwater reserves. Therefore, the true scale of losses to the cotton crop can only be assessed once the rains and flooding subside.
Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq told The Express Tribune that this year’s cotton season began on a highly encouraging note across all zones of Pakistan, with some areas of Punjab and Sindh witnessing the earliest cotton ginning season in May — the first such occurrence in the country’s history.
Expectations were high that cotton production would rise by 20-25% compared to last year. However, unexpected rainfall, elevated temperatures especially at night, humidity, and virus attacks have hampered crop growth, sparking fears of reduced per-acre yields.
“Punjab’s cotton crop has suffered the most damage, particularly in Bahawalnagar — the province’s largest cotton-producing district — where an estimated 40% of the crop has already been destroyed.”
He said with more rain and floods forecast over the next few days, further losses are expected.
“In areas with underground freshwater, locally known as Kacha lands, excessive cultivation of sugarcane compared to previous years has worsened environmental stress, leaving cotton more vulnerable to virus attacks,” he added.
According to weather forecasts, more rainfall across Punjab and Sindh cotton zones this week, along with flood threats in Rahim Yar Khan and other parts of Sindh, could further harm cotton fields.
Farmers have been advised to keep drainage routes clear so that flood and rainwater does not remain standing in fields for long. Prolonged waterlogging could lead to excessive weed growth and expose crops to armyworm and fungal infections, which may cause greater damage.
He added that due to reduced arrivals of seed cotton, several ginning factories in Punjab and Sindh have gone inactive. Despite limited availability of quality lint, cotton prices have shown a downward trend in recent days, falling from Rs16,500-16,600 per maund to Rs16,200-16,300 per maund, causing concern among both farmers and ginners.
He further noted that reliable national production figures for cotton in the 2025-26 cotton year will only be possible by the first week of October after the full impact of rains and floods becomes clear.
Meanwhile, Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, in a meeting with a large delegation of textile mill owners in Islamabad last week, announced that the government will soon unveil a new five-year textile policy aimed at reducing sectoral challenges and boosting textile exports.
Business
From Rs 25,000 to Rs 1,05,000: How Gold Has Outperformed Nifty & Sensex Over The Last Decade
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Bullion, which was earlier believed to be a slow mover when it comes to the return on investment, has surprised investors in the past decade by outperforming equity markets.
Gold Vs Sensex Returns.
Gold prices have surprised investors this year after they have delivered more than 35% returns in just nine months of 2025. Moreover, the yellow metal has outperformed the Nifty and the Sensex in the past 10 years, with the yellow metal surging from nearly Rs 25,000 a decade ago to above Rs 1,05,000 now.
Gold & Silver Historical Returns
Gold prices had stood at Rs 25,000 per 10 grams a decade ago in 2015. It has surged 320% since then to currently trade at Rs 1,05,000 per 10 grams in India.
| Year | Gold Price (per 10 gm) |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Rs 7,700 |
| 2010 | Rs 20,700 |
| 2015 | Rs 25,000 |
| 2020 | Rs 50,000 |
| 2025 (So Far) | Rs 1,05,000 |
Silver prices have also given an impressive return of 270% between 2015 and 2025, as its prices have increased from Rs 33,300 a decade ago to Rs 1,23,000 now.
Sensex, Nifty Historical Returns
The Sensex had stood at 25,700 in September 2015. It has risen by 210% till now, as the BSE benchmark currently trades near the 80,000 level.
Also Read: Gold, Silver Prices Hit All-Time Highs On MCX: Why Is Bullion Shining, Is It Right Time To Invest?
Similarly, the Nifty had stood at nearly 7,800 a decade ago, which has increased to 24,500 currently, registering a growth of about 215% during the period.
Gold & Silver Vs Sensex & Nifty: Returns Comparison
The bullion market, which was earlier believed to be a slow mover when it comes to the return on investment, has surprised investors in the past decade by outperforming the equity market. Gold’s 320% and silver’s 270% returns turn out to be way higher than the Sensex’s 210% and the Nifty’s 215% returns over the past decade.
Why Has Gold Outperformed Sensex Over The Decade?
The precious metal prices have surged amid geopolitical and global economic uncertainties, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Middle East tussles, and the global economic slowdown amid supply chain disruptions. However, these factors have dragged the equity market returns over the period amid weak economic outlooks.
Analysts also cite a weakening rupee as a key factor behind the continued rise in precious metal prices in India.
Are Gold Prices Expected To Rise Further?
Experts say gold is expected to rise further during the upcoming festive and wedding seasons.
“Gold prices remain near record highs amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding US President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs following a recent court ruling, as well as concerns about the central bank’s independence. With US markets closed for a holiday, global cues are limited, shifting the focus to the Indian rupee. Its continued depreciation has led to elevated domestic gold prices. Meanwhile, domestic buying is expected to pick up ahead of the Shraddh period, which begins on September 7,” said Darshan Desai, chief executive officer of Aspect Bullion & Refinery.
Renisha Chainani, head of research at Augmont, said that if macroeconomic risks remain elevated, gold prices could feasibly target $3700 (Rs 1.10 lakh) in the next few weeks in September and $4000 (Rs 1.20 lakh) in the next few months by the end of 2025.
Gold: A Technical View
“Gold has support at $3420-3395, while resistance at $3465-3480. Silver has support at $39.35-39.10, while resistance is at $40.05-40.35. In rupee terms, gold has support at Rs 1,03,340-1,02,940 while resistance at Rs 1,04,450-1,04,750. Silver has support at Rs 1,19,450-1,18,850, while resistance at Rs 1,20,950-1,21,650,” Rahul Kalantri, vice-president (commodities) of Mehta Equities.
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h…Read More
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h… Read More
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New Delhi: Bringing the much needed relief to the common man, Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have reduced the price of commercial LPG gas cylinders will be by Rs 51.50. The latest LPG rates are effective from today, September 1.
Following the revision, a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi will now be available at Rs 1,580.
Here Is How Much You Need To Pay For Per Bottle Of 19 Kg Commercial LPG Cylinder From 1 September 2025 In Metros
| Metros | Prices |
|---|---|
| Delhi | Rs 1,665 |
| Mumbai | Rs 1,616.5 |
| Kolkata | Rs 1,769 |
| Chennai | Rs 1,823.5 |
How Much Do You Have To Pay For LPG In Your City?
You can also click Indane official website to check rates of LPG Cylinders in various cities.
Domestic cooking gas prices vary from state to state due to local taxes, and the last revision in domestic cylinder prices occurred on March 1 last year. It is important to note that monthly revisions for both commercial and domestic LPG cylinders typically occur on the first day of each month.
Earlier, OMCs had reduced the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG gas cylinder by Rs 33.50. Prior to that, OMCs had reduced prices by Rs 58.50 on July 1.
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Petrol, Diesel Price On September 1: Check City-Wise Rates Across India Including In Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
Latest prices of petrol and diesel.
Petrol and Diesel Prices on September 1, 2025: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) update petrol and diesel prices daily at 6 AM, aligning them with fluctuations in global crude oil prices and currency exchange rates. This daily revision promotes transparency and ensures consumers have access to the most up-to-date and accurate fuel prices.
Petrol Diesel Price Today In India
Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on September 1:
| City | Petrol (₹/L) | Diesel (₹/L) |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 94.72 | 87.62 |
| Mumbai | 104.21 | 92.15 |
| Kolkata | 103.94 | 90.76 |
| Chennai | 100.75 | 92.34 |
| Ahmedabad | 94.49 | 90.17 |
| Bengaluru | 102.92 | 89.02 |
| Hyderabad | 107.46 | 95.70 |
| Jaipur | 104.72 | 90.21 |
| Lucknow | 94.69 | 87.80 |
| Pune | 104.04 | 90.57 |
| Chandigarh | 94.30 | 82.45 |
| Indore | 106.48 | 91.88 |
| Patna | 105.58 | 93.80 |
| Surat | 95.00 | 89.00 |
| Nashik | 95.50 | 89.50 |
Key Factors Behind Petrol and Diesel Rates
Petrol and diesel prices in India have remained unchanged since May 2022, following tax reductions by the central and several state governments.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) update fuel prices daily at 6 am, adjusting for fluctuations in global crude oil markets. While these rates are technically market-linked, they are also influenced by regulatory measures such as excise duties, base pricing frameworks, and informal price caps.
Key Factors Influencing Fuel Prices in India
-
Crude Oil Prices: Global crude oil prices are a primary driver of fuel prices, as crude is the main input in petrol and diesel production.
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Exchange Rate: Since India relies heavily on crude oil imports, the value of the Indian rupee against the US dollar significantly affects fuel costs. A weaker rupee typically translates to higher prices.
-
Taxes: Central and state-level taxes constitute a major portion of retail fuel prices. Tax rates vary across states, leading to regional price differences.
-
Refining Costs: The cost of processing crude oil into usable fuel impacts retail prices. These costs can fluctuate depending on crude quality and refinery efficiency.
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Demand-Supply Dynamics: Market demand also influences fuel pricing. Higher demand can push prices up as supply adjusts to consumption trends.
How to Check Petrol and Diesel Prices via SMS
You can easily check the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. For Indian Oil customers, text the city code followed by “RSP” to 9224992249. BPCL customers can send “RSP” to 9223112222, and HPCL customers can text “HP Price” to 9222201122 to receive the current fuel prices.
Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a…Read More
Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a… Read More
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