Business
PSX ends choppy session slightly lower amid mixed cues | The Express Tribune
The index oscillated between an intra-day high of 171,392.63 and a low of 169,230.50, before closing at 169,933.85
Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange remained choppy throughout the session, as the market struggled to find clear direction amid a mix of positive macroeconomic developments and sector-specific concerns. The benchmark KSE-100 index ended slightly in the red, reflecting investor caution and a continued consolidation phase following recent upside.
The index oscillated between an intra-day high of 171,392.63 and a low of 169,230.50, before closing at 169,933.85, down 133.44 points, or 0.08% on a day-on-day basis. Market sentiment remained mixed on news of encouraging external account data against sector-specific headwinds.
On the macro front, Pakistan’s Current Account posted a surplus of $100 million in November 2025, a notable improvement compared to a deficit of $291 million in October 2025. Adding to the positive narrative, IT exports surged 14% YoY to $356 million in November 2025, reinforcing confidence in the sector’s structural growth and its role as a key foreign exchange earner.
However, gains were capped by weakness in the energy space. Power generation remained flat on a year-on-year basis at 8.05k GWh in November 2025, and declined sharply from 9.9k GWh recorded in October 2025.
KTrade Securities write that PSX witnessed another range-bound session, as profit-taking and apparent mutual fund redemptions weighed on select sectors, particularly cement and energy. The KSE-100 index edged down by 133 points (-0.08% DoD) to close at 170,314.
Banks provided the sole meaningful support to the market throughout the session, contributing approximately 800 points to the index. Buying interest was led by key banks including United Bank, National Bank, Habib Bank, Askari Bank alongside strength in Pioneer Cement, Searle, the Bank of Punjab.
Looking ahead, the broader market outlook remains constructive, underpinned by positive developments including the SBP’s policy rate cut, partial progress on resolving power-sector circular debt, and renewed US investment commitments in the Reko Diq project, KTrade predicted.
Overall trading volume decreased to Rs1.068billion shares versus Tuesday’s tally of 1.176billion. Value of traded shares stood at Rs51.7billion. Shares of 483 companies were traded. Of this, 178 closed higher, 255 declined and 50 remained unchanged. The Bank of Punjab was the volume leader with trading in 90.7million shares, rising Rs0.75 to close at Rs37.86.
Business
Asda boss rejects profiteering claims as petrol price tops 150p
Motorists are facing higher fuel prices ahead of Easter break due to the conflict in the Middle East, the RAC says.
Source link
Business
E-cheques coming soon? RBI unveils Payments Vision 2028, plans wider oversight of digital players – The Times of India
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday unveiled its ‘Payments Vision 2028’ document, outlining a roadmap that includes exploring electronic cheques, expanding regulatory oversight to digital platforms, and strengthening safeguards in the fast-growing payments ecosystem, PTI reported.The central bank said it will examine the introduction of e-cheques to combine the advantages of paper instruments with the speed and reliability of digital payments. “To leverage the unique benefits of paper-based instruments and the speed and reliability of electronic payments, and cater to new business use cases, the introduction of electronic cheques in India shall be explored,” the RBI said.Alongside, the RBI is considering widening the regulatory ambit to include entities such as e-commerce marketplaces and centralised platforms that play a growing role in facilitating digital transactions.“In addition, e-commerce marketplaces and centralized platforms have been assuming significant responsibilities that could have implications on the orderly functioning of the payments ecosystem. These aspects shall be examined in detail and, if required, the scope of direct regulations shall be extended to cover such entities,” the document said.The vision document also proposes allowing users to enable or disable transactions across digital payment modes, similar to controls available for card transactions.To address fraud risks, the RBI is exploring a “shared responsibility framework” under which both the issuing bank and the beneficiary bank would share liability in cases of unauthorised digital transactions.The central bank also plans to review cheque design and security features, introduce a Domestic Legal Entity Identifier (DLEI) framework for better transaction traceability, and bring in a Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) framework for non-bank payment system operators.Other initiatives include exploring white-label solutions in the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), developing interoperability in the Trade Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS), and introducing a ‘Payments Switching Service’ to ease customer migration across platforms.The RBI said it will also review the cross-border payments ecosystem to improve efficiency and streamline authorisation processes, alongside publishing periodic reports on global and domestic payment trends.Additionally, the central bank aims to enhance access to payment data and reimagine the card payments ecosystem by promoting secure tokenisation, improved transparency in pricing, and greater choice for users and merchants.
Business
Hetero rolls out generic semaglutide exports to over 75 countries – The Times of India
Hyderabad: Pharma player Hetero on Friday said it has rolled out exports of its generic semaglutide injection portfolio as part of a multi-year plan to widen access to treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity in more than 75 countries.The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company said initial rollouts are under way in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with additional launches planned in other markets subject to regulatory approvals.The injectable therapies will be sold under the brand names Truglyx, Rolmodl and Moto G. Semaglutide belongs to the GLP-1 class of medicines, which are used in diabetes care and weight management.Hetero said the export launch is part of its broader strategy to improve access to advanced cardio-metabolic therapies, particularly in emerging markets.The company said the products will be offered in multi-dose disposable pen devices designed in line with innovator formats and will be available in several strengths, including 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, allowing dosing flexibility for both diabetes and obesity treatment.Hetero said it is also awaiting approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) after completing clinical trials in type 2 diabetes and obesity and plans an India launch after regulatory clearance.Hetero managing director Dr Vamsi Krishna Bandi said the company aims to provide high-quality, affordable generic semaglutide through a single global product platform backed by its manufacturing and development capabilities.He said Hetero would use its commercial networks across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to support supply and access. The Hyderabad-headquartered Hetero operates in more than 145 countries and employs over 30,000 people.
-
Business7 days agoFlipkart group CFO to leave co amid IPO plans – The Times of India
-
Fashion7 days agoChina’s textile & apparel exports surge 17% to $50 bn in Jan-Feb 2026
-
Sports1 week agoRating Adidas’ 2026 World Cup away shirts: Argentina, Spain, Mexico and more
-
Business1 week agoVideo: The Effects of High Oil Prices
-
Sports7 days agoAmerican Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti thanks Trump for Army-Navy game executive order
-
Fashion1 week agoThe hidden $1.62 war tax now embedded in every garment you source
-
Tech1 week ago
The Corsair 4000D RS PC Case Keeps Your System Cool
-
Tech1 week ago‘Uncanny Valley’: Nvidia’s ‘Super Bowl of AI,’ Tesla Disappoints, and Meta’s VR Metaverse ‘Shutdown’
