MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

January 29, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Bank deposits increase to Rs37.4tr in Dec

The total deposits held by scheduled banks have moved up by 5.8% to Rs37.43 trillion in December compared to Rs35.38tr by the end of last month. Read more

• Pakistan, China move to strengthen mineral sector cooperation

Pakistan and China are taking significant steps to deepen economic and investment cooperation, particularly in the mineral and natural resources sectors, as part of efforts to unlock sustainable growth and long-term development. Read more

• Pakistan, UAE eye stronger economic ties

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to expand their long-standing partnership, following high-level discussions in Abu Dhabi between President Asif Ali Zardari and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Read more

• PKR strengthens, hits 88th straight gain against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) rose by 1.10 paisa against the US dollar in Wednesday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 279.81 per USD, compared to previous closing of 279.82. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Small Victories

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Wednesday's trading session at 188,380.38, showing an increase of 177.53 points. Read more

• FFC completes share issuance to Fauji Foundation

Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (PSX: FFC) has completed the proposed transaction involving the issuance of 15,914,566 ordinary shares to Fauji Foundation by way of other than right offer. Read more

• Signature Residency REIT enters PSX at Rs14/unit on Jan 29

Signature Residency Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is set to commence trading on the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s Main Board starting Thursday, January 29, 2026. Read more

• ECC approves wheat offloading, sector funding

Pakistan’s top economic decision-making body on Wednesday approved the offloading of 500,000 metric tons of government-held wheat and sanctioned more than Rs66bn in supplementary grants. Read more

• Court upholds super tax, grants relief to oil and gas companies

Pakistan’s Constitutional Court has delivered a final verdict on the country’s super tax, bringing an end to years of legal uncertainty. Read more

• Pakistan, Germany explore tax, investment reforms

Pakistan and Germany discussed strengthening economic cooperation in trade, investment, and development during a meeting at the Finance Division. Read more

• LSE Ventures obtains Corporate Restructuring Company license from SECP

LSE Ventures Limited (PSX:LSEVL) has received a Corporate Restructuring Company license from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Read more

• Dr Kabir Ahmad Sidhu set to drive a smarter financial future

Dr. Kabir Ahmad Sidhu recently took charge of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) with aims to involve Pakistan’s youth in the capital market and financial system, stabilize capital markets, and increase investor participation. Read more

• Gold breaks Rs550,000 per tola barrier in Pakistan

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Wednesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at record Rs551,662 per tola, jumps by Rs21,100. Read more

• Gatron reshapes shareholding through scheme with NFL and G&T

Gatron (Industries) Limited (PSX: GATI) Board of Directors on January 28, 2026 resolved to authorize the Company to enter into a Scheme of Arrangements with Nova Frontiers Limited (NFL) and Ghani & Tayub (Private) Limited (G&T). Read more

• Symmetry Group's Iris Digital wins Jazz digital creative contracts

Symmetry Group Limited's (PSX:SYM) subsidiary, Iris Digital (Private) Limited, has been selected as the preferred bidder for Jazz digital creative services following comprehensive commercial and technical evaluations. Read more

• Hinopak Motors turns profitable, EPS hits Rs18.59

Hinopak Motors Limited (PSX: HINO) posted a profit after taxation of Rs460.95 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2025, reversing a loss of Rs84.21m in the same period last year. Read more

• Australian firms eye Pakistan’s mining boom

Pakistan and Australia are exploring expanded bilateral cooperation in the mining and gemstones sectors, with a focus on investment, technical collaboration, and long-term partnerships, as interest from Australian mining companies in Pakistan’s mineral potential continues to grow. Read more

• Gold hits fresh record above $5,200

Gold prices shattered a historic milestone on Wednesday, climbing above the $5,200 mark for the first time as the U.S. dollar weakened sharply and geopolitical uncertainty continued to fuel safe-haven demand ahead of a key Federal Reserve policy announcement. Read more

• Stock Valuation Demands Skepticism: Don’t Trust Earnings Alone

“Earnings tell a story; cash tells the truth; valuation demands skepticism,” an adage seems to challenges the pervasive investment orthodoxy, repeated ad nauseam by investment gurus and practitioners alike, that earnings alone drive stock value. Read more

• Oil mixed with U.S. freeze disrupting supply

Oil prices traded mixed on Wednesday, with Brent crude edging slightly lower while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures posted modest gains, as markets weighed fresh supply disruptions against expectations of a surplus later this year. Read more

• Pakistan offers competitive pricing to increase rice exports to Turkey

Pakistan and Turkey reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral trade ties, with a particular focus on boosting Pakistan’s rice exports to the Turkish market. Read more

• Sitara Peroxide cuts quarterly loss by 30%

Sitara Peroxide Limited (PSX:SPL) posted a net loss of Rs49.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, which represents a 30% improvement compared to the Rs70.8m loss recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Lucky Cement reports Rs48bn profit for 1HFY26

Lucky Cement Limited (PSX: LUCK) reported a profit after taxation of Rs48.03bn for the half year ended December 31, 2025, showing a 10.36% YoY increase compared to Rs43.52bn in the same period last year. Read more

• PKGS greenlights IFC preference share redemption

Packages Limited's (PSX:PKGS) has approved the redemption of 2,000,000 preference shares/convertible stock as requested by International Finance Corporation (IFC), Washington D.C., U.S.A. Read more

• Asia markets mixed, Wall Street rally fades

Asia markets delivered a mixed performance on Wednesday, diverging from Wall Street’s upbeat close after the S&P 500 ended at a fresh all-time high. Read more

• Textile Council urges to cut energy costs, taxes to protect exports

Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports to the European Union are facing serious pressure following the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which removes India’s tariff disadvantage and significantly weakens Pakistan’s competitiveness in the EU market. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

The treasury management division of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Wednesday, issued the following exchange rates. Read more

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