MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

February 19, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Bank deposit rate falls by 30bps in Jan

The return on bank deposits has decreased by 30 basis points to 4.75% in January 2026 compared to the deposit rate of 5.05% last month, according to the latest official data. Read more

• SBP, PSX cut working hours for Ramadan

Pakistan’s financial regulators have issued revised working and trading hours for the holy month of Ramadan, compressing operations across the banking and capital markets in line with customary seasonal adjustments. Read more

• Pakistan's pharma sector offers a market remedy for volatility

With margins at record highs, Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector appear to have found the right formula for sustained market strength. Read more

• SBP raises over Rs772bn through MTBs, PIB auctions

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised a combined Rs772.578 billion in its latest auction of Market Treasury Bills (MTBs) and 10-year Pakistan Investment Bond Floating Rate (PIB-PFL). Read more

• Roshan Packages profit plunges 86% in 1HFY26

Roshan Packages Limited (PSX:RPL) reported a net profit of Rs10.60m for the half year ended December 31, 2025, which represents an 86% decline from the Rs73.80m profit recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Cherat Cement earnings drop 20% in H1

Cherat Cement Company Limited (PSX: CHCC) reported a net profit of Rs4.11bn for the half year ended December 31, 2025, showing a 20.16% decline compared to Rs5.15bn in the same period last year. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: A Step in the Right Direction

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Wednesday's trading session at 178,853.09, showing an increase of 5,702.68 points or 3.29%. Read more

• PKR edges higher against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) appreciated by 2.83 paisa against the US dollar in Wednesday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 279.57 per USD, compared to previous closing of 279.60. Read more

• Ghandhara Industries profit surges over twofold in H1FY26

Ghandhara Industries Limited (PSX:GHNI) reported a net profit of Rs2.74bn for the half year ended December 31, 2025, which represents a 2.1 times increase from the Rs1.30bn profit recorded in the previous year. Read more

• Saudi firm seeks control of Samba Bank Limited

Najd Gateway Holding Company has declared its intention to acquire approximately 84.51% shareholding and control of Samba Bank Limited through a share purchase agreement, subject to regulatory approvals. Read more

• BIPL profit drops 49% to Rs6bn in CY25

Bank Islami Pakistan Limited (PSX: BIPL) posted a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs6.00bn for the year ended December 31, 2025, marked a 49.26% year-on-year (YoY) decline compared to Rs11.83bn in CY24. Read more

• Fauji Cement, KAPCO offer to buy 7.97% stake in Attock Cement

Fauji Cement Company Limited (PSX: FCCL) and Kot Addu Power Company Limited (PSX: KAPCO) have jointly made a public offer to acquire 10.95 million ordinary shares representing about 7.97% of Attock Cement Pakistan Limited, according to filings submitted to Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited today. Read more

• Ghani Dairies to debut on PSX Main Board tomorrow

Ghani Dairies Limited will be listed on the Main Board effective Thursday, February 19, 2026, with trading to commence the same day on a T+1 settlement basis, according to the notice issued by Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) today. Read more

• HBL PAT nears Rs68bn in CY2025

Habib Bank Limited (PSX: HBL) posted a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs66.76bn for the year ended December 31, 2025, marking a 15.5% year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to Rs57.80bn in CY24. Read more

• GAL shifts into high gear

Ghandhara Automobiles Limited (PSX: GAL) has delivered an extraordinary financial performance for the half-year ended December 31, 2025, with net profits skyrocketing by 173% to reach Rs2.92 billion. Read more

• Fast Cables completes plant expansion

Fast Cables Limited (PSX: FCL) has completed the expansion of its manufacturing facilities using proceeds from its Initial Public Offering (IPO), the company said in a filing with the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Read more

• Govt targets chemical sector reforms to boost exports

Pakistan is set to implement structural reforms in the chemical industry aimed at improving governance, boosting domestic value addition, and expanding non-traditional exports. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs1,300 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Wednesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs516,062 per tola, up Rs1,300. Read more

• VIS reaffirms IPAK’s ‘A/A1’ ratings with stable outlook

VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has reaffirmed the credit ratings of International Packaging Films Limited (IPAK) at ‘A/A1’ (Single A/A One). Read more

• RDA attracts $216m in Jan

Total inflows into Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA) during January 2026 stood at $216 milliom, bringing cumulative inflows into RDA to $11.923 billion. Read more

• PM Shehbaz Sharif urges world to build bridges, not walls

Pakistan has urged the international community to renew its commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, while describing it as the only viable route to lasting peace and shared prosperity amid a world facing converging crises of geopolitics, climate, and technology. Read more

• VIS affirms Fast Cables ratings with stable outlook

VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has reaffirmed the medium and short-term entity ratings of Fast Cables Limited (PSX: FCL) at ‘A/A2’ with a Stable outlook. Read more

• Oil prices react to geopolitics

Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday as renewed discussions between the United States and Iran sparked hopes of easing geopolitical tensions, while rising output from Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oil field added to market pressures. Read more

• Gold firm ahead of key U.S data

Gold prices made the green as it bounced back after touching a one-week low in the previous session, as attention is turned towards the upcoming release of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s January policy meeting minutes for signals on the future path of interest rates. Read more

• SBP asks banks to finance energy-efficient fans backed by 10% guarantee

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed all Islamic banks and conventional banks with Islamic banking branches to take necessary steps for the Prime Minister’s Fan Replacement Program (PM FRP). Read more

• FBR accelerates toward tech driven taxation

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has signed a contract with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) for the delivery of customized professional certifications for FBR officers. Read more

• THALL FY26H1 earnings rise 28% to Rs5.5bn

Thal Limited (PSX: THALL) reported a net profit of Rs5.53bn for the half year ended December 31, 2025, which represents a 28% increase from the Rs4.33bn profit recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Pakistan, Iran cultivate new growth in food security

Pakistan and Iran agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security with a focus on expanding technical collaboration, research partnerships, and sustainable farming initiatives. Read more

• Saudi Arabia, Pakistan to sign strategic economic pact

Saudi Arabia is preparing to sign a major strategic economic agreement with Pakistan to deepen bilateral ties, the Saudi envoy said, months after both nations concluded a landmark mutual defence pact, according to Arab News. Read more

• SBL elevates Rashid Jahangir from acting to permanent CEO

Samba Bank Limited's (PSX:SBL) Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Mr. Rashid Jahangir, who is currently serving as Acting President and CEO, as full-time President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank. Read more

• Asia markets rise amid AI concerns

Asian markets opened on a firm note Wednesday, brushing aside lingering concerns over the global artificial intelligence (AI) investment cycle. 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

• Samba Bank FY2025 profit up 4%

Samba Bank Limited (PSX:SBL) reported a net profit of Rs727.2m for the year ended December 31, 2025, which represents a 4% increase from the Rs699.3m profit recorded in the previous year. Read more

• Ramadan holiday alters PSX settlement schedule

National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL) has revised the trading and settlement schedule for February 2026 due to a bank holiday on account of 1st Ramadan-ul-Mubarak (1447 Hijri), introducing merged clearing for selected trade dates. Read more

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