MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

February 27, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• PSX finds its stocking power, investor base tops 500K

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has crossed the 500,000-investor mark for the first time in its history, as it reached 502,024 investors as of February 26, a milestone that signals more than just numerical growth. Read more

• OICCI, IMF discuss path from macroeconomic stability to sustainable growth

Pakistan must now transition from macroeconomic stabilization to a sustained, export-led growth trajectory to translate recent economic gains into higher productivity, employment, and investment. Read more

• Lucky Cement hikes South prices

Lucky Cement Limited has increased cement prices in the South region by Rs400 per metric ton (Rs20 per bag), with the revised rates set to take effect from March 3, 2026. Read more

• SBP reserves rise $16m to $16.21bn

The foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by $16 million or 0.10% WoW to $16.21 billion during the week ended on February 20, 2026, data released by State Bank of Pakistan showed on Thursday. Read more

• Japan’s flying car dream gets off the ground

Japanese startup SkyDrive Inc. has successfully completed the first public demonstration flight of its “flying car” in Tokyo, which marks a major step toward its goal of launching commercial services in Japan by 2028. Read more

• Banks open this Saturday for easy Govt tax payments

In a move to facilitate taxpayers, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has requested that all commercial banks, including National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) branches handling customs collection, remain open on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. for over-the-counter (OTC) payment of government duties and taxes. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan falls Rs700 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan decreased on Thursday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs540,562 per tola, down Rs700. Read more

• PKR charts a steady course against the USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) edged up slightly against the US dollar in Thursday’s interbank trading, appreciating by 1.10 paisa to close at 279.50 per dollar, compared with the previous session’s closing of 279.51. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Bulls in the Driver’s Seat

The KSE-100 Index staged a strong rebound on Thursday, as easing selling pressure and renewed buying interest fueled a broad-based rally across key sectors. Read more

• Stylers International H1 profit rises 8%

Stylers International Limited (PSX: STYLERS) reported a net profit of Rs550.38 million for the half year ended December 31, 2025, up 7.98% from Rs509.69m recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Bank Makramah returns to profit in CY25

Bank Makramah Limited (PSX: BML) reported a massive turnaround for the year ended December 31, 2025, posting a net profit of Rs8.83bn compared to a staggering net loss of Rs5.21bn in the previous year. Read more

• NCPL swings to around Rs900m profit in H1

Nishat Chunian Power Limited (PSX: NCPL) reported a net profit of Rs899.13 million for the half year ended December 31, 2025, marked a dramatic turnaround from the Rs3.73 billion loss recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Thatta Cement Building Solid Ground

Thatta Cement Company Limited (PSX: THCCL) has reported a 13.3% increase in net profit for the half-year ended December 31, 2025, reaching Rs1.28 billion. Read more

• Searle strikes a high note

The Searle Company Limited (PSX:SEARL) reported an explosive surge in net profit to Rs1.81bn for the half year ended December 31, 2025, a staggering 26.05 times higher than the Rs69.35m profit recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• FEROZ in the pink of health

Ferozsons Laboratories Limited (PSX: FEROZ) has reported a healthy recovery in its financial performance for the half-year ended December 31, 2025, with post-tax profits climbing to PKR 353.6 million. Read more

• AGHA Steel narrows H1 loss to Rs1.8bn

Agha Steel Industries Limited (PSX: AGHA) reported a net loss of Rs1.80 billion for the half year ended December 31, 2025, narrowing by more than half from the Rs3.84bn loss recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• PAKT earnings up 7% in CY25

Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PSX:PAKT) reported a net profit of Rs29.85bn for the year ended December 31, 2025, a solid 7% increase from the Rs27.78bn profit recorded in the prior year. Read more

• Blue-Ex joins SOS for swift Fly Jinnah cargo

Blue-Ex Limited (PSX: BLUEX) and SOS Pakistan have partnered to handle high-value cargo on Fly Jinnah flights, enhancing air transport capabilities and reducing risk and transit time for valuable shipments. Read more

• Mughal Energy nears completion of 36.5 MW hybrid power plant

Mughal Energy Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mughal Iron & Steel Industries Limited, has reached a significant milestone in the development of its 36.50-megawatt hybrid power facility. Read more

• Gold hits $5,200 on geopolitical fears

Gold prices continued their upward trajectory as investors weighed rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East and fresh uncertainties in US trade policy. Read more

• Citi Pharma enters REIT space

Citi Pharma Limited (CPHL) has taken a strategic step into Pakistan’s real estate sector, as the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has granted approval for the reservation of the name CITI REIT Management Company Limited. Read more

• SECP lowers non-Shariah debt limit to 33% in index overhaul

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has revised the Shariah screening criteria for the PSX-KMI All Share Index, lowering the threshold for non-Shariah-compliant debt from 37% to 33% as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening Islamic capital markets and supporting Pakistan’s transition to a Riba-free financial system by 2027. Read more

• PPL settles multi-year EPCC disputes with PDIL, DEL

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has successfully reached an amicable settlement with Presson Descon International (Private) Limited (PDIL) and Descon Engineering Limited (DEL). Read more

• TPL Properties’ H1 loss jumps fivefold

TPL Properties Limited (PSX: TPLP) reported a net loss of Rs2.82 billion for the half year ended December 31, 2025, rising more than fivefold from the Rs498.51m loss recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Correction or Opportunity? KSE-100 Nears a Turning Point

Markets, like nature, retreat not to surrender but to gather strength; the deeper the correction, the greater the eventual expansions. Read more

• ZAL profit skyrockets 3.5x in 1HFY26

Zarea Limited (PSX:ZAL) reported a massive surge in net profit to Rs1.13bn for the half year ended December 31, 2025, a 3.5 times increase from the Rs324.43m profit recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Dewan Cement H1 FY26 loss more than doubles

Dewan Cement Limited (PSX: DCL) reported a net loss of Rs611.80m for the half year ended December 31, 2025, more than doubling from the Rs297.47m loss recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Merit Packaging turns to profitability in 1HFY26

Merit Packaging Limited (PSX:MERIT) reported a net profit of Rs129.46m for the half year ended December 31, 2025, which marks a significant turnaround from the Rs68.21m net loss recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Court clears Supernet merger

Supernet Limited has been merged with and into Supernet Technologies Limited (STL) pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement sanctioned by the High Court of Sindh, resulting in STL becoming the surviving listed entity. Read more

• BF Biosciences in peak health

BF Biosciences Limited (PSX: BFBIO) has reported a stellar financial performance for the first half of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, with post-tax profits climbing significantly to Rs347.3 million. Read more

• BWCL earnings hold steady in 1HFY26

Bestway Cement Limited (PSX:BWCL) reported a net profit of Rs11.09bn for the half year ended December 31, 2025, a slight 3% decrease from the Rs11.47bn profit recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• US tariffs drop to 9.4% with 10% blanket levy

The United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR) has declined to 9.4% from 12.7% following the imposition of a 10% blanket reciprocal tariff on most trading partners, according to Fitch Ratings. Read more

• Panther Tyres shifts into high gear

Panther Tyres Limited (PSX: PTL) has achieved a significant milestone in its latest financial results, reporting a massive 256% increase in post-tax profit for the half-year ended December 31, 2025. Read more

• Barkat Frisian Agro Limited H1FY26 profit slips 10%

Barkat Frisian Agro Limited (PSX:BFAGRO) reported a net profit of Rs300.06m for the half year ended December 31, 2025, a decline of 9.74% compared to the Rs332.45m profit recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• NCL profit surge 87% in 1HFY26

Nishat Chunian Limited (PSX:NCL) reported a net profit of Rs485.43m for the half year ended December 31, 2025, an 87% increase from the Rs259.59m profit recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• SCBPL CY25 profit sinks 38%

Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited (PSX:SCBPL) reported a net profit of Rs28.78bn for the year ended December 31, 2025, a 38% decrease from the Rs46.07bn profit recorded in the prior year. Read more

• Asia markets rally, Nikkei hits fresh record

Asia markets strengthened on Thursday, led by a fresh record high in Japan, as optimism around pro-growth Japanese policies and a tech-driven surge on Wall Street boosted sentiment across the region. Read more

Copyright Mettis Link News