Business
Gold up Rs3,400/tola despite global pullback | The Express Tribune
KARACHI:
Gold prices in Pakistan extended their upward trend on Tuesday, tracking volatility in the international bullion market where prices slipped from a three-week high amid profit-taking and a stronger US dollar, while investors monitored geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran and awaited clarity on the US tariff policy.
In the local market, the price of 24-karat gold rose by Rs3,400 per tola to Rs539,962, according to rates issued by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association. Similarly, the price of 10 grams increased by Rs2,915 to Rs462,930.
The latest gains follow Monday’s rise, when gold per tola climbed Rs3,000 to settle at Rs536,562, reflecting sustained domestic demand and currency-linked adjustments in line with global benchmarks.
Silver prices also moved higher, gaining Rs192 to reach Rs9,286 per tola in the local market. In the international market, gold retreated more than 2% on Tuesday after touching a three-week peak earlier in the session. Spot gold was quoted at $5,119.67 per ounce by 1433 GMT, down 2.1% on the day, while US gold futures for April delivery fell 1.7% to $5,138.30 per ounce, according to Reuters.
Market participants attributed the pullback largely to profit-taking and a firmer US dollar, although underlying geopolitical risks continued to lend support to bullion as a safe-haven asset. Traders remained focused on the outlook for US tariffs and the evolving standoff between the United States and Iran, with a fresh round of talks between the two countries scheduled later this week.
Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities, said intra-day volatility reflected shifting geopolitical expectations. Gold touched a high of $5,249 and a low of $5,093 and was later trading around $5,145, he said.
“Developments related to Iran are driving the market,” Agar said. There is a possibility of an agreement, but it appears more likely that tensions will persist, which is causing fluctuations, he noted.
Agar added that the broader trend in international prices had turned softer after recent highs. “If the Iran situation does not escalate and tensions ease, which currently seems less likely, then gold prices could decline. The next few days will be crucial for direction,” he said.
Analysts say bullion remains near record territory and may require a fresh catalyst, such as clearer signals on US trade policy or geopolitical escalation, to resume its upward trajectory. For Pakistan, where domestic gold prices are closely aligned with global movements and the rupee-dollar parity, international swings continue to transmit quickly into local retail rates.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee posted a slight uptick against the US dollar on Tuesday, strengthening by 0.01% in the inter-bank market.
By the close of trading, the currency settled at 279.52 per dollar, up Rs0.03 from the previous session. On Monday, it had ended at 279.55 against the greenback, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan.
In global currency markets, the Japanese yen came under pressure as investors assessed the implications of renewed volatility stemming from US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies on international trade. The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of major peers, advanced 0.2% to 97.90.
Business
Himadri Speciality Starts Commercial Operations Of 70,000 TPA Carbon Black Line; Details Here
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With the brownfield expansion, the company’s total carbon black capacity has risen to 2,50,000 TPA.
Shares of Himadri Speciality Chemical were trading 0.70% higher at Rs 491.5 apiece on the NSE on Wednesday.
Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd has commenced commercial operations of its newly commissioned 70,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) speciality carbon black line at its Mahistikry manufacturing facility in Hooghly, West Bengal, the company said on Tuesday (February 24).
With the brownfield expansion, the company’s total carbon black capacity has risen to 2,50,000 TPA. Of this, 1,30,000 TPA comprises speciality carbon black capacity at the Mahistikry site, making it the world’s largest single-location speciality carbon black manufacturing facility.
The expansion bolsters Himadri’s speciality portfolio and strengthens its ability to cater to high-value, performance-driven applications across plastics, inks, paints, coatings and other niche segments.
According to the company, the project integrates advanced process technologies, modern quality control systems, energy-efficient operations and scalable infrastructure to ensure consistent production of premium grades for global customers.
Anurag Choudhary, CMD and CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, said, “The commencement of commercial operations of our 70,000 MTPA (metric tonnes per annum) speciality carbon black line at Mahistikry marks the beginning of the next phase of growth in our advanced carbon materials journey. With this expansion, Mahistikry becomes the world’s largest single-location Speciality Carbon Black facility, with a capacity of 1,30,000 MTPA. This positions us strongly to capture rising global demand in premium, application-specific segments such as plastics, inks, paints, coatings, and other specialised industries.”
He added, “The newly-commissioned capacity is expected to contribute meaningfully to revenue growth and strengthen the Company’s margin profile over the medium term. As global demand continues to shift toward high-performance, customised carbon solutions, Himadri’s enhanced scale provides competitive advantages through operational efficiencies, supply reliability, faster market responsiveness, and improved product innovation capabilities.”
Shares of Himadri Speciality Chemical were trading 0.70% higher at Rs 491.5 apiece on the NSE on Wednesday.
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February 25, 2026, 11:25 IST
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Angel One sets Feb 26 as record date for 1:10 stock split. Shareholders will get 10 shares for each held.
Angel One Stock Split 2026
Angel One Stock Split Record Date: Domestic brokerage firm Angel One has fixed February 26 as the record date for its previously approved 1:10 stock split, moving ahead with a proposal cleared by its Board last month.
The company had earlier informed stock exchanges on Jan. 15 that its Board of Directors approved the sub-division of equity shares in a 1:10 ratio.
Board Approval For Share Sub-Division
Under the approved proposal, each fully paid-up equity share with a face value of Rs 10 will be split into 10 fully paid-up equity shares with a face value of Re 1 each.
In its Jan. 15 stock exchange filing, the company stated that the Board had approved the sub-division of one existing equity share of face value Rs 10, fully paid-up, into 10 equity shares of face value Re 1 each, fully paid-up. The move is aimed at increasing the number of outstanding shares and improving liquidity in the counter.
Stock splits typically make shares more affordable for retail investors by reducing the market price per share, although the overall market capitalization of the company remains unchanged.
Feb 26 Fixed As Record Date
In a subsequent filing dated Feb. 18, Angel One confirmed that its executive committee has fixed Thursday, Feb. 26, as the record date to determine eligible shareholders for the stock split.
The record date serves as the cut-off to identify shareholders who will be entitled to receive the additional shares. Investors holding the stock on or before Feb. 26 will qualify for the sub-division benefit.
What The Stock Split Means For Investors
Shareholders will receive 10 equity shares for every one share currently held. While the face value per share will reduce from Rs 10 to Re 1, the total value of an investor’s holdings will remain unchanged, as the split does not alter ownership percentage or overall wealth.
Angel One Q3 FY26: Profit Dips Amid Higher Costs
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025, Angel One reported a 4.5% year-on-year decline in consolidated profit after tax to Rs 269 crore, compared with Rs 281.5 crore in the same quarter last year.
However, total income rose 5.8% to Rs 1,338 crore from Rs 1,264 crore in Q3 FY25. Total expenses increased to Rs 964.2 crore from Rs 876.5 crore, primarily due to higher employee benefit costs, elevated ESOP expenses, and increased operating expenditure.
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February 25, 2026, 07:20 IST
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Households are set to learn their energy bills will fall by around 7% from April in a shake-up of costs after the Government promised they will receive an average £150 cut.
Latest predictions suggest Ofgem will reduce the energy price cap by £117 to £1,641 a year for a typical dual fuel household from April 1 when it makes its announcement on Wednesday.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in November that £150 would be cut from the average household bill from April by scrapping the Energy Company Obligation scheme introduced by the Tories in government.
Customers have been warned not to expect a straight £150 discount on their bills, and that the cut will depend on the size and type of household and how much energy it uses.
The reduction is expected to be primarily applied through a lower price per unit of electricity used, with households advised to look out for information from their supplier explaining this after the price cap announcement.
Cornwall Insight said the changes will reduce the cap by about £145 a year once VAT and pricing allowances within the cap methodology are taken into account.
It added that increases in charges associated with the operation and maintenance of Britain’s energy networks have offset part of the savings.
Wholesale prices had also risen slightly since its last forecast in December, with the cost of gas particularly volatile due to “geopolitical factors”.
Looking further ahead, Cornwall said wholesale costs were still lower than when Ofgem set the January cap level and it expected the cap to remain “relatively steady” throughout 2026, “with only a small rise forecast in July”.
Ned Hammond, deputy director of customer policy at Energy UK, which represents firms, said: “At a time when many households are struggling with their bills, action taken by the Government to provide a considerable discount on energy bills is hugely welcome.
“While the saving will be £150 for the average household, it is important to note that the discount is applied to the unit rate.
“Therefore, households will experience significantly different savings depending on their energy consumption, some much higher and others substantially lower than £150.
“In addition, other moving parts, such as network charges and wholesale costs, mean energy bills will not necessarily fall in line with the saving provided.
“Indeed, the price cap is projected to drop by around £115 from April 1.”
Which? energy editor Emily Seymour said: “Households can expect a significant cut to their energy bills in April, which will come as a relief to millions of people struggling with cost-of-living pressures.
“The bulk of this change is expected to be applied to your electricity price per unit, so your exact savings will depend on your usage; look out for communications from your energy provider in the coming weeks to see how it will affect your bills.”
Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, urged households to note the changes in unit costs and standing charges, rather than focus on the headline “average energy bill”.
He said: “We know that energy bills can be confusing and trying to decide when to switch tariffs or change supplier is a big decision which can overwhelm people.
“As well as setting the price cap, Ofgem should play a greater role in ensuring that the tariffs reaching the market are fair and don’t discriminate against specific customer groups.
“Sadly the responsibility currently falls to households to pay careful attention to any changes in their unit costs and standing charges.”
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