Business
PSX smashes through 154,000 | The Express Tribune
Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed the week on a strong footing on Friday as the benchmark KSE-100 index surged over 1,600 points to settle at a record high of around 154,280.
The rally was spearheaded by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), which hit the upper circuit and skyrocketed 9.88% to Rs171.98, after its corporate briefing bolstered expectations of a healthy year-end dividend. The stock's performance alone set the tone for the session, fuelling institutional and retail interest across banking and cement counters.
Analysts noted that the NBP's management signalled it would not remain overcapitalised, a stance investors welcomed despite payout restrictions under the NBP Act.
The momentum in Friday's session was broad-based, led by financial, cement, power and energy names. Hubco gained 4.59% and Lucky Cement rose 2.93%, while DG Khan Cement and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) also added meaningful points to the index.
In contrast, Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC), UBL and Systems Ltd put resistance, trimming some of the gains. Overall market participation remained robust as traded volumes crossed 1.08 billion shares and value touched Rs59.9 billion.
Sentiment was further buoyed by news that Pakistani and Chinese companies signed joint venture agreements worth $1.5 billion and memoranda of understanding totalling $7 billion in the solar energy and agriculture sectors.
Analysts said these developments provided additional triggers for sustained investor optimism, with the KSE-100 poised to test fresh highs next week as support emerges at 151,000 points and the next upside target is seen at 156,500.
At the end of trading, the benchmark KSE-100 index posted a surge of 1,611.47 points, or 1.06%, and settled at 154,277.19.
"National Bank stole the spotlight, locking at the upper circuit within minutes after its corporate briefing fuelled expectations of a healthy year-end dividend," said Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd (AHL).
"Investors cheered the management's signal of not staying overcapitalised, though the NBP Act restricts payouts to year-end results," he added. "The stock closed 9.88% (Rs15.47) higher at Rs171.98."
In its daily report, AHL noted that the stock market closed the week with gains of 3.9% week-on-week. Among the major contributors to the index gains on Friday were NBP (+10%), Hubco (+4.59%) and Lucky Cement (+2.93%).
Topline Securities, in its market review, observed that the KSE-100 extended its advance as it surged 1.06% (+1,611 points) to close at 154,277, fueled by institutional buying in banks and cement firms. The top positive contributors were NBP, Hubco, Lucky Cement, DG Khan Cement and PPL as they contributed 1,008 points to the index.
Traded value-wise, NBP (Rs4.69 billion), Pakistan State Oil (Rs3.78 billion), DG Khan Cement (Rs3.45 billion), PPL (Rs3.38 billion) and Oil and Gas Development Company (Rs3.15 billion) dominated the trading activity, Topline said.
"PSX wrapped up the week on a historic note, with the KSE-100 index closing at an all-time high of 154,277 points," said Mubashir Anis Naviwala of JS Global.
Even in the final session, the bullish momentum remained intact, highlighting strong investor confidence. The rally was broad-based, led by cement, banking, power generation and E&P companies. Institutional and retail participation stayed robust, keeping sentiment elevated. The outlook remains bullish while dips offer attractive entry points in leading sectors, he said.
Overall trading volumes were recorded at 1.08 billion shares compared with the previous session's tally of 954.3 million. The value of shares traded was Rs59.9 billion.
Shares of 479 companies were traded. Of these, 239 stocks closed higher, 210 fell and 30 remained unchanged.
The Bank of Punjab was the volume leader with trading in 146.1 million shares, gaining Rs1.33 to close at Rs19.69. It was followed by First National Equities with 55.8 million shares, gaining Rs0.96 to close at Rs7.74 and Fauji Foods with 50.9 million shares, gaining Rs0.56 to close at Rs18.72.
During the day, foreign investors sold shares worth Rs1.6 billion, the National Clearing Company reported.
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Britain’s competition watchdog has vowed to tackle fake and misleading online reviews “head on” as it launched investigations into firms including Just Eat and Autotrader.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said reviews are used by 90% of consumers when they buy over the internet and play a large part in the UK’s over £200 billion online retail sector.
But up to 50% of online reviews are fake, according to recent research by tech firm Truth Engine.
The CMA said its latest action against firms comes as part of a clampdown on fake and misleading reviews as shoppers increasingly rely on customer feedback when shopping online.
Emma Cochrane, executive director for consumer protection at the CMA, told the Press Association: “It’s so important that consumers can have trust in those reviews because we know that nine in 10 of us rely on them when we’re shopping, and that retail shopping in the UK is billions of pounds worth a year.
“It’s so important that consumers can have trust and confidence when they’re shopping online.”
Here are the CMA’s tips for spotting and avoiding fake reviews:
– Read the reviews
Shoppers often get taken in by five-star ratings without actually reading what people have to say about a product or service.
“You’ll be surprised at how many reviews sound dubious, overly vague or even totally unrelated to the item they’re supposedly endorsing,” the CMA said.
– Be alert to AI-generated reviews
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to make fake reviews sound fluent, polished and highly convincing.
“If a review feels a bit too slick, reads like it’s been perfectly crafted, or uses very similar wording to others, it may not reflect a real customer’s experience,” the CMA warned.
– Take a look at the other ratings
Look beyond the five-star ratings.
Three or four-star reviews are less likely to be fake, and they can be more useful to give a genuine, overall assessment.
– Check out multiple sites
Looking across several sites can help shoppers see patterns and provide a more consistent picture.
“Check a few different review sites. If you’re seeing the same kind of reviews coming up again and again, it’s more likely to be fake,” said Ms Cochrane.
The UK’s competition watchdog says it is looking at five firms in its investigation into misleading online reviews.
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Business
Gold price today (March 25, 2026): How much 24K and 22K gold cost in Delhi, Mumbai & more- Check rates – The Times of India
Gold futures traded higher on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on Friday with key contracts registering gains of up to 1.6 per cent amid firm buying interest and supportive global cues.The April 2026 gold contract rose by Rs 2,290, or 1.64 per cent, to trade at Rs 1,41,783 per 10 grams. The contract moved between an intraday low of Rs 1,40,287 and a high of Rs 1,42,800. The June 2026 contract, which saw higher trading activity, gained Rs 1,921, or 1.35 per cent, to Rs 1,44,435 per 10 grams. During the session, it touched a low of Rs 1,43,652 and a high of Rs 1,45,773. Meanwhile, the August 2026 contract advanced by Rs 1,480, or 1.02 per cent, to Rs 1,47,100 per 10 grams, with an intraday range of Rs 1,47,040 to Rs 1,48,600.Here is how gold prices stand across major cities today:
Gold price in Delhi today
Gold prices in the national capital declined, with 24K gold quoted at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold slipped Rs 200 to Rs 13,280 per gram.
Gold price in Mumbai today
Mumbai bullion markets also saw a drop, with 24K gold priced at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Chennai today
Chennai recorded a sharper decline, with 24K gold selling at Rs 14,651 per gram, down Rs 262, while 22K gold dropped Rs 240 to Rs 13,430 per gram.
Gold price in Kolkata today
In Kolkata, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold stood at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad markets reflected a similar trend, with 24K gold priced at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,265 per gram, slipping Rs 200.
Gold price in Bangalore today
In Bangalore, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold was selling at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Ahmedabad today
Ahmedabad bullion markets showed declines, with 24K gold at Rs 14,476 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold fell Rs 200 to Rs 13,270 per gram.
Gold price in Lucknow today
In Lucknow, 24K gold was priced at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold moved lower by Rs 200 to Rs 13,280 per gram.
Gold price in Patna today
Patna markets also recorded weaker rates, with 24K gold quoted at Rs 14,476 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,270 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Jaipur today
In Jaipur, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold stood at Rs 13,280 per gram, down Rs 200.
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