Business
Food prices push yearly SPI to 35-week high | The Express Tribune
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), week ending Sep 04, 2025, increased by 1.29% week on week (WoW) and up 5.07% year on year (YoY), which is the highest YoY after 35 weeks.
Major increase was observed in the prices of tomatoes, wheat flour, onions, rice basmati broken, garlic, potatoes.
“Pakistan’s Weekly SPI for the period ending Sep 04, 2025, increased by 1.29% WoW while up 5.07% YoY, which is the highest YoY after 35 weeks,” noted Topline Securities.
The SPI rose by 1.29% for the combined consumption groups during the week ended September 4, 2025, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The SPI was recorded at 335.41 points compared to 331.14 points in the previous week. On a year-on-year basis, the SPI registered an increase of 5.07%, the highest annual rise in 35 weeks, reflecting renewed price pressures in essential commodities.
The PBS noted that the inflationary burden was more pronounced for lower-income households. For the lowest consumption group with monthly expenditure by 2.01% to 327.73 points, while other quintiles recorded weekly rises of 1.90%, 1.61%, 1.48%, and 0.99% respectively. This indicates that households in the lower-income brackets continue to bear the brunt of price hikes, particularly in food essentials that form a larger share of their consumption basket.
Out of the 51 essential items monitored, the prices of 23 items or 45.10% increased, 4 items or 7.84% declined, while 24 items or 47.06% remained stable during the week under review. The steepest weekly increases were observed in the prices of tomatoes, which soared 46.03%, followed by wheat flour at 25.41%and onions at 8.57%. Other notable increases included rice basmati broken at 2.62%, garlic at 2.04%, potatoes at 1.38%, pulse moong at 1.29%, and bread at 1.19%. Non-food categories also saw moderate increases, with LPG rising by 0.88%, shirting by 0.27%, long cloth by 0.17%, and lawn printed by 0.07%. In contrast, bananas declined by 3.86%, diesel by 0.91%, sugar by 0.13%, and mustard oil by 0.10%, offering limited relief.
On a yearly basis, several items remained significantly higher than last year. Tomatoes registered the steepest jump at 83.45%, followed by ladies’ sandals at 55.62%, wheat flour at 30.27%, and gas charges for Q1 at 29.85%. Prices of sugar rose 27.43%, while gur, beef, pulse moong, firewood, vegetable ghee, and chicken all recorded double-digit increases. Lawn printed also edged higher by 7.72%, adding to household expenses. On the other hand, major yearly declines were recorded in onions, which fell 47%, garlic at 25.50%, pulse mash at 22.93%, potatoes at 19.25%, and pulse gram at 19.04%. Other notable declines included electricity charges for Q1 at 18.12%, tea packet at 17.93%, pulse masoor at 6.07%, rice IRRI-6/9 at 4.60%, and LPG at 3.71%.
Analysts point out that while weekly inflation is largely being driven by volatility in perishable food items such as tomatoes and wheat flour, the broader year-on-year jump raises concerns about persistent cost-of-living pressures. With inflation hitting its highest yearly spike in over eight months, the government faces a growing challenge in protecting lower-income households from food price shocks.
Business
Upcoming IPOs This Week: Urban Company Among 9 Firms Set To Launch Public Issues; Full List
Last Updated:
Nine IPOs, including Urban Company and Airfloa Rail, will launch between September 8 and 18, 2025.
Upcoming IPOs.
Upcoming IPOs: The primary market is set for an action-packed week as nine companies are scheduled to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) between September 8 and September 15, 2025. These offerings include a mix of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mainboard listings.
Nilachal Carbo Metalicks (NCM SME)
Nilachal Carbo Metalicks will open its IPO between September 8 and 10, 2025, at a fixed price of Rs 85 per share. The company’s listing is scheduled for September 15.
Karbonsteel Engineering (KARBONSTEEL SME)
Karbonsteel Engineering will hit the market during the same window of September 8–10. With a price band of Rs 151 to Rs 159, the engineering firm is looking to attract SME investors ahead of its listing on September 15.
Krupalu Metals (KRUPALUMETALS SME)
Krupalu Metals, another SME in the metals sector, will also open its IPO from September 8 to 10. The company has fixed its share price at Rs 72, and it will make its stock market debut on September 15.
Taurian MPS (TAURIAN SME)
Taurian MPS will join the cluster of early movers with its IPO running from September 8 to 10. Priced between Rs 162 and Rs 171, it will be among the higher-value SME offerings of the week, with its listing scheduled for September 15.
Jay Ambe Supermarkets (JAYAMBE SME)
Jay Ambe Supermarkets will open its IPO a day later, between September 9 and 11. With a price band set at Rs 74 to Rs 78, the retail-focused chain will list on September 16, seeking to tap into consumer-driven investor interest.
Shringar House of Mangalsutra (SHRINGAR)
Jewellery brand Shringar House of Mangalsutra will launch its IPO between September 10 and 12. Priced in the range of Rs 155 to Rs 165, the issue will list on September 17, offering investors exposure to the ornament and accessories market.
Urban Company (URBANCO)
One of the most awaited IPOs, Urban Company, will also open its books from September 10 to 12. With a price band of Rs 98 to Rs 103, the home services platform is set to make its stock market debut on September 17.
DevX (DEVX)
DevX, a provider of co-working and incubation services, will launch its IPO alongside Urban Company between September 10 and 12. Shares will be offered at Rs 56 to Rs 61, with the listing expected on September 17.
Airfloa Rail Technology (AIRFLOA SME)
Rounding off the week, Airfloa Rail Technology will open its IPO from September 11 to 15. The company has set a price band of Rs 133 to Rs 140 and will list on September 18, marking the final debut in this cluster of offerings.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
September 07, 2025, 21:18 IST
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New Delhi: Planning a bank visit this week? You might want to double-check first. Between September 8 and 14, 2025, many bank branches across India will remain shut on different days due to a mix of national and regional holidays, including Eid-e-Milad, the Friday following Eid, and the usual weekend closures.
Bank Closures Under RBI Holiday List
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has listed these holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which covers transactions like cheques and promissory notes. While ATMs and online banking will continue to work, customers won’t be able to access in-person services at branches in the affected regions.
Why Did Mumbai Shift the Eid-e-Milad Holiday to September 8?
In Mumbai, Eid-e-Milad was initially slated for September 5, but the Maharashtra government shifted the holiday to Monday, September 8. The decision came after a request from the Muslim community to ensure harmony with Ganpati Visarjan celebrations on Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on September 6. Because of this change, all public and private banks in Mumbai will stay closed on September 8. (Also Read: CBIC Denies Viral Claims On GST Transition Benefits From Sep 22, Calls Message Misleading)
Full Bank Holiday List (Sep 8–14, 2025)
September 8 (Monday) – Banks closed in Mumbai for Eid-e-Milad
September 12 (Friday) – Banks closed in Jammu and Srinagar for Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi
September 13 (Saturday) – Second Saturday – Nationwide bank holiday
September 14 (Sunday) – Sunday Holiday – All-India (as per RBI rules)
What Can You Do When Banks Are Closed?
Even when branches are shut for holidays, most services remain within your reach. Customers can continue using online and mobile banking, as well as UPI and bank apps, for payments and transfers. ATMs also function normally, ensuring cash withdrawals are available during emergencies. (Also Read: GST Rate Cuts Big Relief For FMCG, Apparel, Footwear, Restaurants: Report)
However, transactions involving cheques and promissory notes are affected. That’s because the RBI issues the annual holiday list under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which governs such instruments. On these declared holidays, processing of cheques and similar paper-based transactions won’t take place.
London Underground services were disrupted on Sunday at the start of walkouts by thousands of workers which will cause travel disruption in the capital.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), including drivers, signallers and maintenance workers, launched a series of strikes over pay and conditions which will lead to huge disruption for millions of travellers.
Transport for London (TfL) warned there will be few or no services between Monday and Thursday, as disruption started on Sunday.
TfL has offered a 3.4% pay rise which it described as “fair” and said it cannot afford to meet the RMT’s demand for a cut in the working week.
Nick Dent, London Underground’s (LU) director of customer operations, said union demands for a cut in the 35-hour week were “simply unaffordable” and would cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
The last Tube-wide strike was three years ago, over pay and pensions, but Mr Dent said next week’s action will be different because separate groups of workers will walk out on different days.
“It will be very damaging for us,” he added.
An RMT spokesperson said: “We are not going on strike to disrupt small businesses or the public.
“This strike is going ahead because of the intransigent approach of TfL management and their refusal to even consider a small reduction in the working week in order to help reduce fatigue and the ill health affects of long-term shift work on our members.
“We believe a shorter working week is fair and affordable, particularly when you consider TfL has a surplus of £166 million last year and a £10 billion annual operating budget.
“There are 2,000 fewer staff working on London Underground since 2018 and our members are feeling the strain of extreme shift patterns.
“London Underground is doing well financially and all our members want is fair consideration. But TfL is refusing to even consider marginally reducing the working week, citing costs ranging from tens of millions to now hundreds of millions.
“We remain open to talks, securing a negotiated settlement and call on the Mayor of London to intervene.”
Passengers have been urged to check before they travel, with Tubes that do run, as well as buses, which are expected to be busier than usual.
Docklands Light Railway services will also be hit next Tuesday and Thursday because of a strike by RMT members in a separate pay dispute.
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