BR Research » Banking

Banking

Encashment deadline for withdrawn prize bonds extended

KARACHI: The federal government has announced its decision to extend the last date for encashment of withdrawn prize...

Published 28 Dec, 2022 04:12am

Banking

China central bank publishes disclosure rules for credit bonds

The rules are amied at improving the quality of information disclosure, helping enhance transparency and protect investors.

Published 28 Dec, 2020 05:40pm

Banking

Italy's UniCredit says board would never agree to harmful deal

French CEO of UniCredit said M&A was "no panacea".
Mustier at odds with Italy's consolidation drive.
Italy has been seeking buyer for Monte dei Paschi.
JPMorgan says successor will have "big shoes to fill".

Published 02 Dec, 2020 02:15am

Banking

US bank profits recover from early 2020 turmoil, still down from year prior

The industry's profits jumped 173% in the third quarter to $51.2 billion, after firms spent the first half of the year setting aside billions of dollars to offset expected pandemic-driven losses.
The banking industry remains well-capitalized with ample liquidity and has, to date.

Published 02 Dec, 2020 12:24am

Banking

Debt debate – context would not hurt!

Lately, a few commentators have been talking on public debt, and the narrative is populist. In economics, absolute numbe

Updated 03 Dec, 2019 11:39am

Banking

The brave new banking world

‘Banks want to play tech companies,’ read a headline in this newspaper earlier this month. Given a private sector ch

Updated 20 Nov, 2019 06:21am

Banking

Banking: Big five take decent strides

The big five (B5) banks lent almost similar amount to the private sector in 9MCY19, that they did a year ago. The net ad

Updated 05 Nov, 2019 06:16am

Banking

NBP 9MCY19: Sound and strong

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has continued its strong performance, as reflected by strong profit numbers for 9MCY19.

Updated 31 Oct, 2019 08:11am

Banking

SBP focuses Investment constraints

The SBP in its recently released annual report has incorporated a chapter on factors constraining investment in Pakistan

Updated 30 Oct, 2019 06:46am

Banking

Doing business: beyond World Bank rankings

Pakistan’s poor ranking on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business indicators is one of the main deterrents to growth in

Updated 28 Oct, 2019 06:40am

Banking

Bank Alfalah: upbeat profits

Bank Alfalah Limited (BAFL) posted double digit year-on-year growth in pretax profits for 9MCY19, despite the challengin

Updated 28 Oct, 2019 06:47am

Banking

Bank Al Habib profits grow

Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL) is doing pretty well. It posted a sizable 30 percent year-on-year increase in pre-tax profi

Updated 25 Oct, 2019 06:02am

Banking

Demonetization: ‘objective’ matters

It is almost three years since the great macroeconomic experiment of "demonetization" had taken place in India. That so-

Updated 23 Oct, 2019 12:58pm

Banking

Ants, elephants, and SME finance

Access to affordable finance has long been labelled as one of the key obstacles to SME growth in Pakistan. But is that n

Updated 23 Oct, 2019 01:04pm

Banking

ABL goes smooth

Allied Bank Limited (ABL) announced its 9MCY19 financial results last week, accompanied with an interim dividend of Rs2

Updated 21 Oct, 2019 06:25am

Banking

All is well at MCB

The challenging economic conditions seem to have done no harm to MCB Bank’s profits. The bank also continued with the ri

Updated 18 Oct, 2019 06:02am

Banking

Profits grow at UBL

UBL announced its 9MCY19 financial results yesterday, making good strides, accompanied with an interim dividend of Rs3/s

Updated 17 Oct, 2019 07:25am

Banking

HBL: pretax profits up

Having had a slightly challenging 2QCY19, in terms of profitability, the country’s largest commercial bank, HBL stag

Updated 16 Oct, 2019 06:40am

Banking

Forget the heat - the flow is here

The hot money is getting hotter in Pakistan. At an unprecedented level of $234 million in Sep-19, the year to date inflo

Updated 23 Oct, 2019 01:39pm

Banking

NBP – impressive again

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) keeps churning profits, and 1HCY19 was no different. Save from a higher effective tax ra

Updated 02 Sep, 2019 05:17am

Banking

Reported fiscal deficit – not too scary

Yesterday, the ministry of finance reported the fiscal deficit number at 8.9 percent of GDP or Rs3.44 trillion. This spa

Updated 28 Aug, 2019 06:57am

Banking

JSBL 1HCY19

JS Bank Limited has had it tough in 2019 so far. That should not come as a surprise as most sectors have had it tough th

Updated 28 Aug, 2019 06:50am

Banking

Scary fiscal deficit – don’t look at it

The country’s total debt and liabilities increased by 35 percent or Rs10.3 trillion in FY19 to reach Rs40.2 trillion – 1

Updated 27 Aug, 2019 11:38am

Banking

Changing sentiments?

Last week the news flow was positive; and the stock market reacted to it with 9 percent recovery. A fresh wave of positi

Published 26 Aug, 2019 06:46am

Banking

BOP: double digit growth

The Bank of Punjab (BOP) rode on the exemplary top line growth, which trickled down to the bottom line, posting a double

Published 26 Aug, 2019 06:05am

Banking

FDI: finding neverland

FDI data is here; FDI isn’t - unless one really counts those peanut-sized net inflows of $73.4 million in July 2019.

Updated 29 Aug, 2019 05:10am

Banking

Askari Bank marches on

The blueprint for banks this season – big, mid-sized and small, has been by and large the same. Bank on higher interest

Published 23 Aug, 2019 05:57am

Banking

The yield curve inversion

The market participated with full heart in the recent PIB auction, indicating that the pulse in rates is peaked. Market

Published 23 Aug, 2019 05:44am

Banking

Current account in control

The current account deficit is down to $579 million in July19; almost one fourth of what was in the July18 – just before

Published 22 Aug, 2019 06:50am

Banking

Bank Al Habib sails smooth

Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL) posted a strong 1HCY19 financial performance, registering 21 percent year-on-year increase

Published 22 Aug, 2019 06:47am

Banking

ABL 1HCY19: well poised

Allied Bank Limited (ABL) posted its financial results for 1hCY19, accompanied with an interim dividend of Rs2 per share

Published 21 Aug, 2019 05:41am

Banking

BAFL takes steady strides

Having faced a slightly underpay 1QCY19. Bank Alfalah (BAFL) made a strong comeback in the second quarter, posting 14 pe

Published 20 Aug, 2019 05:26am

Banking

Re-profiling of central bank debt

There has been an exercise of re-profiling the government’s central bank debt – conversion of short term government debt

Published 19 Aug, 2019 06:35am

Banking

Sustaining remittances

A good start to FY20, worker remittances for July 2019 as per SBP’s recently released data has risen by 8 percent on a y

Published 19 Aug, 2019 06:08am

Banking

Enough tightening – time to change signals

Since the last monetary announcement in Pakistan, where policy rate was increased by 100 bps, the global market behavior

Published 16 Aug, 2019 05:37am

Banking

UBL: top line and bottom line grow

UBL has made good strides in 1HCY19. The bank announced its financial results for 1HCY19 earlier this week, accompanied

Published 09 Aug, 2019 06:58am

Banking

MCB shines in tough times

MCB Bank announced its 1HCY19 financial results yesterday, continuing the rich tradition of hefty dividends. There was a

Published 08 Aug, 2019 08:00am

Banking

Missing sovereign guarantees

The fate of Rs200 billion power sector Sukuk – to park circular debt in another company, and Rs20 billion market support

Published 08 Aug, 2019 07:39am

Banking

HBL: top line grows, bottom line doesn’t

Having had a decent first quarter, HBL underwent some pressure in the 2QCY1, as a drastic reduction in contribution form

Published 25 Jul, 2019 06:43am

Banking

Pakistan’s economic stepchild

Labour, not textile, is Pakistan’s biggest export. Measured by worker remittance flows, labour export is in fact nearly

Updated 13 Jan, 2020 09:51am

Banking

PEP: Damned if you do, damned if you don’t

This week, the central bank issued a fresh circular concerning opening of bank accounts of politically exposed persons o

Published 19 Jul, 2019 06:41am

Banking

Policy rate: Is this the peak?

Having complied with the IMF raising the interest rates by 150 bps in May 2019 as part of prior action, the Central bank

Published 17 Jul, 2019 07:20am

Banking

SBP doesn’t hold back

It looks like the monetary authority will not pull any punches. Reading between the lines, the State Bank of Pakistan’s

Published 17 Jul, 2019 07:16am

Banking

FDI – is manufacturing the missing link?

Volatile exchange rate, delay in the finalisation of IMF program and weaknesses at the fiscal and external front have al

Published 17 Jul, 2019 07:01am

Banking

External account: fully financed?

Both the IMF and the finance minister have declared that Pakistan is “fully financed” for FY20 to meet its external requ

Published 12 Jul, 2019 06:29am

Banking

Hold onto remittances

With hopes of economic revival still distant as exports continue to paint a dreary picture, banking on remittances to pr

Published 12 Jul, 2019 06:17am

Banking

Can DFS get merchants on board?

Bringing retailers on board is a huge challenge for Pakistan’s digital financial services (DFS) ecosystem. Next door, In

Published 11 Jul, 2019 06:35am

Banking

Wanted: a common payment interface

Not having a ubiquitous payment scheme has been a source of discomfort among freelancer community and e-commerce stores.

Published 28 Jun, 2019 05:54am

Banking

Bringing currency back

There is no stoppage to fiscal deficit growth. FBR collection by June end is likely to be less than last year. The next

Updated 24 Jun, 2019 07:03am

Banking

CAD: slippery again

The current account deficit (CAD) is starting to drift again. In April and May 2019, CAD’s monthly average crossed the b

Published 21 Jun, 2019 05:39am

Banking

Decision times: bold and cold

The strategy is to accumulate foreign currency from the local market at lucrative rates. The interest rates are rising,

Updated 20 Jun, 2019 08:13am

Banking

Poor FDI, unwelcoming environment

One area that needs policy focus – foreign investment in the country – continues to be neglected. Or perhaps the efforts

Published 20 Jun, 2019 06:49am

Banking

What should be on SBP governor’s agenda?

This week’s press conference, the first by Pakistan’s newest central bank governor, shows that Reza Baqir has finally st

Published 20 Jun, 2019 06:44am

Banking

Betting on remittances

That Pakistan received a significantly higher amount of remittances from overseas Pakistani’s is a much needed breather

Published 19 Jun, 2019 06:15am

Banking

Wait-and-see!

If yesterday’s press conference of SBP governor Dr Reza Baqir is any indication, all eyes are on controlling inflation t

Published 18 Jun, 2019 06:22am

Banking

No more tightening

The SBP Governor in a public gathering spoke about the interest rate determination. He was spot on to say that the objec

Published 17 Jun, 2019 06:46am

Banking

No credit to credit expansion

The decline in the economy is manifesting in the lending patterns to private sector businesses and consumers which is ar

Published 11 Jun, 2019 05:31am

Banking

Streamlining internal remittances

Rural to urban migration and hence diversification of income source can be key in addressing poverty in rural areas and

Published 03 Jun, 2019 07:11am

Banking

Inverted yield curve - a healthy sign

The MoF is one up. Market is one down. The PIB auction earlier this week surprised everyone, but it should not have come

Published 31 May, 2019 06:42am

Banking

Fiscal debt trap brewing

Is the government of Pakistan getting into a debt trap? Probably yes. Back in 2014, this space cautioned about the loomi

Published 29 May, 2019 04:58am

Banking

God’s gift to treasury

The economy is nose diving and it is time for banks to make merry in the PIBs bonanza. The IMF conditionality is creatin

Published 28 May, 2019 06:33am

Banking

Alarming fiscal deficit

Nothing is going right. The fiscal deficit stood at 5 percent of GDP in 9MFY19 - highest ever deficit since Pakistan sta

Published 22 May, 2019 03:54am

Banking

Why aren’t foreign investors betting on Pakistan?

“Pakistan is the land of opportunities”. So maintains the Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Hard data on the ot

Published 22 May, 2019 03:49am

Banking

Rise in inactive m-wallets

Much of the current government’s financial inclusion agenda depends on making digital transaction accounts (DTAs) grow i

Published 21 May, 2019 07:39am

Banking

MPS: A step too soon?

There was a strong noise of 150 bps increase; and it happened. The rumor had it as a prior IMF condition and this perhap

Published 21 May, 2019 07:08am

Banking

Rate hike unwarranted, yet likely

The genie is coming out of bottle. One of the IMF pre conditions of market based exchange rate is already manifested. No

Published 20 May, 2019 05:42am

Banking

Amnesty – right step but too small

Yet another amnesty scheme is announced. Do not expect any miracles in it, but at the same time, do not take it too casu

Published 16 May, 2019 06:14am

Banking

The ‘bombshell’ school of economics

The state of Pakistan’s economy is a new anguish of concern for the country’s media, politicians, and of course its citi

Published 16 May, 2019 06:12am

Banking

Prepone the monetary policy

The IMF deal is done; but uncertainty prevails. The market demands clarity on the quantum and timings of prior actions.

Published 15 May, 2019 06:32am

Banking

The deal is here

The IMF programme is finalized. In Naya Pakistan, it was announced in an old fashioned way by a technocrat FM in PTV 9 P

Published 14 May, 2019 05:42am

Banking

IMF: be counter-cyclical

Since the IMF’s statement regarding a staff-level loan agreement with Pakistan was released May 12, economic observers h

Published 14 May, 2019 05:26am

Banking

Remittances remain faithful

With the economy sailing into choppy waters, the growth in remittances continues to provide some shock mitigation capabi

Published 13 May, 2019 05:28am

Banking

Facilitating FDI investment

Pakistan’s foreign direct investment has been nothing to write home about. The 9MFY19 numbers have been dismal with FDI

Published 10 May, 2019 04:41am

Banking

Provinces-IMF meet: anything beyond goodwill?

The provincial finance ministers recently met the IMF. Goodwill messages ensued. If the press releases are any guide, th

Published 09 May, 2019 04:01am

Banking

En route IMF: beware of too much tightening

Nothing is certain on how the negotiations with the IMF culminate, as there is a complete change of economic team. Those

Published 08 May, 2019 06:26am

Banking

Of NPLs and banking courts

Banks in Pakistan lack credit robustness and one reason, apart from banks’ own laziness and higher government financing

Updated 29 Apr, 2019 10:00am

Banking

Allied Bank: doing just fine

Allied Bank Limited (ABL) announced its financial results for 1QCY19 accompanied with the first interim dividend of Rs2

Published 26 Apr, 2019 06:06am

Banking

HBL – pre-tax profit growth

Save for the retrospective imposition of Super Tax on 2017 profits, HBL delivered promising 1QCY19 results. Better still

Published 25 Apr, 2019 05:28am

Banking

MCB – no stopping the dividends

MCB Bank does not mind paying rich dividends. It announced another Rs4/share as first interim dividend yesterday, contin

Published 25 Apr, 2019 05:19am

Banking

Import led CAD breather

The current account deficit at $822 million for Mar19 is little higher than market expectations, but the direction is ri

Published 23 Apr, 2019 06:04am

Banking

The FDI gloom

Remittances have been growing and supporting the current account deficit; and the government and the central bank have b

Published 23 Apr, 2019 05:46am

Banking

Wanted: telecom FDI

It’s a season of doom for Pakistan’s overall net FDI, which fell 51 percent year-on-year – or $1.35 billion – in 9MFY19.

Published 22 Apr, 2019 06:20am

Banking

Shifting government deposits: tread with caution

The talks on implementing Treasury Single Account [TSA] are back in action. It is perhaps one of the IMF to be condition

Published 18 Apr, 2019 06:29am

Banking

PIBs – say no to high rates

The PIB auction is scheduled today. Recent behavior of auctions is erratic. With DG debt at the helm, Ministry of financ

Published 17 Apr, 2019 07:00am

Banking

T -Bills auction - bold move

The bid pattern of this week T-Bills auction brings no surprises. The market is expecting another rate hike in May 19 mo

Published 12 Apr, 2019 07:05am

Banking

Remittances - the saviour

The significance of remittances for Pakistan’s economy is well-documented; but the precarious nature of the country’s ec

Published 12 Apr, 2019 06:39am

Banking

Why all this tightening?

Earlier in 2017, when economic stresses were building with excess demand reflecting in the external account, the SBP was

Published 09 Apr, 2019 05:06am

Banking

Dollar outlook

In mid-October 2018, the interbank forex market was desperate for dollars – as desperate as it was in June 2013. The des

Updated 03 Mar, 2021 10:35am

Banking

Stable REER – no need for massive depreciation

The real effective exchange rate (REER) is getting stable. The number stood at 103.31 in Feb19 and last three months’ (D

Published 04 Apr, 2019 06:44am

Banking

Rate hike uncalled for

So, 50 bps it is. Get ready for the IMF; forget fundamentals or what is happening in the world. The IMF wants Pakistan p

Published 01 Apr, 2019 05:45am

Banking

Branchless banking: the power of two

The branchless banking (BB) segment, which is increasingly been seen by policymakers as a medium for financial inclusion

Published 01 Apr, 2019 05:10am

Banking

M-wallets: just a numbers game?

Another quarter, another round of growth for mobile wallets. As per the central bank’s latest publication on the Branchl

Published 29 Mar, 2019 05:53am

Banking

Interest rates: No rationale for hike

The monetary policy is due tomorrow - market expects no change to 75 bps increase in policy rate, currently at 10.25 per

Published 28 Mar, 2019 07:00am

Banking

Remittance from Malaysia rising

Remittances have played a crucial role for the balance of payment position of the country especially when exports have r

Published 28 Mar, 2019 06:43am

Banking

IMF programme – just around the corner

The IMF team is in Pakistan - final round of negotiations is underway, and it will be a continuous process till IMF-WB s

Published 27 Mar, 2019 05:41am

Banking

The moral hazard of sponsor-based lending

Research has long noted lack of scale in Pakistan’s corporate firms as one reason for their lack of competitiveness in f

Published 25 Mar, 2019 06:53am

Banking

Scary NIR - don't look at it

The current account deficit came down to 29 months low in Feb-19, and the trajectory is changing (read " Current account

Published 21 Mar, 2019 06:30am

Banking

An unsustainable strategy?

Being a donor helps when it comes to communicating on sensitive issues. The World Bank Group has done just that in Pakis

Published 21 Mar, 2019 06:18am

Banking

Current account in order – fiscal’s turn now

The current account deficit had starting growing at alarming levels since Oct16 and in Feb19 it is the lowest monthly de

Published 18 Mar, 2019 05:49am

Banking

Financial inclusion: paying lip service?

Following the approval of an “enhanced” National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) in November last year, it is good t

Published 18 Mar, 2019 05:31am

Banking

FDI plummets and diversifies

The government officials are busy boasting of the multi month low CAD achieved in February 2019. Good job. But they woul

Published 18 Mar, 2019 05:23am

Banking

M2 growth: amnesty calling?

The currency in circulation has always been high in Pakistan and it is a cause of concern for an economy where lack of d

Published 14 Mar, 2019 04:59am

Banking

Remittances on track

Remittance numbers for February 2019 are out. If you are looking whether Pakistan is on track to meet the full year targ

Published 12 Mar, 2019 05:11am

Banking

Microfinance: growing in numbers

Despite the political instability and economic worries through much of 2018, nothing could stop the microfinance juggern

Updated 08 Mar, 2019 06:17am

Banking

Banking: Tough year for big five

Profit making was tough last year for the banking sector. Interestingly, 2018 also saw banks do some real banking. Littl

Updated 08 Mar, 2019 06:15am

Banking

Sukuks to the rescue

The much-awaited Sukuk bond has been finally launched, amid much fanfare. The idea is to help reduce the infamous power

Published 07 Mar, 2019 05:35am

Banking

Readying for the IMF

A rumor is circulating on an agreement with the IMF on a $12 billion package soon. BR Research channel checks confirm th

Published 05 Mar, 2019 06:48am

Banking

NBP – record revenue

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has continued expanding its balance sheet, which stands at Rs2.8 billion, showing a near

Published 26 Feb, 2019 05:24am

Banking

“Services” at current account’s service

As expected, the current account deficit fell short of billion dollar mark per month - down by 17 percent to stand at $8

Published 25 Feb, 2019 06:05am

Banking

UBL: profits down

UBL had a difficult CY18 in terms of printability. That is one way of looking at banks. Another way is to look at the ba

Published 25 Feb, 2019 05:56am

Banking

Is SME finance really at historic high?

In an exercise of self-congratulations, the central bank announced this week that SME financing by Pakistani banks cross

Updated 27 Nov, 2019 10:10am

Banking

The fiscal headache

The one element that the federal government is unable to control in its early days is the fiscal deficit. On consolidate

Published 21 Feb, 2019 06:45am

Banking

HBL: lending and profits surge

While a few large banks are celebrating reaching the trillion rupee mark in terms of deposit – the largest of them all,

Published 21 Feb, 2019 06:43am

Banking

MCB: steady growth

MCB Bank announced its CY18 financial results yesterday, doling out another Rs4/share in final dividends – taking the fu

Published 21 Feb, 2019 06:41am

Banking

Does DFS require a fiscal boost?

The budget proposal season is upon us. This summer, PTI government will present its first full-year budget. While sector

Published 19 Feb, 2019 05:00am

Banking

Government borrowing: why the fuss?

Few renowned economists have been lately lamenting the abnormal growth in government borrowing from SBP in this fiscal y

Published 15 Feb, 2019 05:07am

Banking

Allied Bank: goes from strength to strength

Allied Bank Limited (ABL) announced its CY18 annual financial results, posting a 1 percent year-on-year increase in afte

Updated 15 Feb, 2019 05:56am

Banking

Remittances: good news and bad

Remittance inflows are growing closer to the full-year FY19 target of 15 percent. Year-on-year growth clocked-in at 6 pe

Published 13 Feb, 2019 04:06am

Banking

Make the IMF wait

The PM’s charm could not lure the IMF head Christine Lagarde in Dubai. The negotiations are not conclusive yet. The Fund

Published 12 Feb, 2019 07:40am

Banking

Currency equilibrium – almost there

The pricing adjustment has started unfolding and the picture is not as gloomy as presented by a few corners. The REER ca

Published 04 Feb, 2019 05:59am

Banking

A 25 bps face-saving

The outgoing monetary policy committee salvaged its position by a token increase of 25 bps in the policy decision yester

Published 01 Feb, 2019 06:33am

Banking

Will the diaspora do more?

Is patriotism overrated? The dam fund’s fate would suggest so – as no more than $10 million made their way five months l

Published 31 Jan, 2019 06:18am

Banking

Bank Al Habib strong balance sheet growth

Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL) has consolidated its balance sheet well enough to be poised to take advantage of ever impro

Published 31 Jan, 2019 06:02am

Banking

MPS - another U-turn?

The monetary policy is due tomorrow. It is hard to predict what route the committee takes, seeing the decision making pa

Updated 30 Jan, 2019 07:10am

Banking

Super tax, tax breaks, and banks

The dust seems to have settled on the implications of the second amendment in the Finance Bill 2018-19. The Finance Mini

Published 30 Jan, 2019 05:45am

Banking

Current account: Curb your enthusiasm

The current account deficit stood at $7.8 billion (2.8% of GDP) in Jul-Dec18, down by a quarter from the previous half –

Updated 21 Jan, 2019 07:19am

Banking

Looming debt trap

The government is fast falling into a domestic debt trap; sooner it is fixed, the better it is. With government by far b

Published 18 Jan, 2019 05:50am

Banking

Pakistan needs a savings wizard

Speaking to the business community in Karachi over the weekend, Finance Minister emphasised on the need to increase the

Published 15 Jan, 2019 06:49am

Banking

Don’t put all the eggs in SBP’s basket

The Finance minister last week indicated to a group of journalists that the ministry is looking for resource from the SB

Published 14 Jan, 2019 06:30am

Banking

Revamping remittances

As critical as they are, the remittances have been sluggish lately. After a weak November, December 2018 figures from th

Published 14 Jan, 2019 06:18am

Banking

Bankers: friends or masters?

Last week, the publication of JIT report on fake accounts inspired an emotive debate on social media. The twitterati won

Published 08 Jan, 2019 06:58am

Banking

Debt pricing – far from ideal

Good intentions mean little when policymakers start taking uninformed decisions or act on advices of experts with little

Published 02 Jan, 2019 05:16am

Banking

Life without Libor

Pakistani authorities are reportedly planning to float ‘Panda’ bonds in the Chinese market. Given that the London Interb

Published 31 Dec, 2018 06:11am

Banking

More supervision required at MoF Debt office

Unexpectedly and shockingly, the government accepted too high bids in recent (26th Dec) fixed PIBs' auction. It was sugg

Published 28 Dec, 2018 06:22am

Banking

Hawala/Hundi: arrests not enough

In recent news, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made further arrests of those suspected to be involved in haw

Updated 24 Dec, 2018 06:19am

Banking

Debt profiling: don’t repeat 2014 mistakes

The government’s domestic debt profile is increasingly skewed towards short term papers (T-Bills) - creating a rollover

Published 24 Dec, 2018 05:42am

Banking

Current account: Expect more impact later

The tightening measures - currency adjustment and interest rates hike, so far have not yielded any meaningful impact on

Published 21 Dec, 2018 05:40am

Banking

Remittances: green shoots on the horizon?

November 2018 was a bad month for remittance inflows; the month clocked in poor year-on-year growth of only 2 percent. I

Published 21 Dec, 2018 05:37am

Banking

FDI in dire straits

Headlines saying “FDI draught taking hold” won’t be breaking news if foreign direct investment continues to slump. FDI i

Published 20 Dec, 2018 05:47am

Banking

Do more – talk less

Just as ‘all roads lead to Rome’, all financing needs in Pakistan lead to the IMF. It does not matter whether the govern

Published 12 Dec, 2018 06:34am

Banking

The inexplicable trend in remittances

The headlines today read worker remittances sent home are up. And surely they are: about 12.5 percent year-on-year in te

Published 11 Dec, 2018 05:30am

Banking

Learning by doing

In the aftermath of recent (un)timely exchange rate depreciation and monetary policy tightening, a political and public

Published 10 Dec, 2018 05:45am

Banking

How feasible are the new payment security rules

The central bank’s specific guidelines on digital payment security which were issued last week merit a closer look (see

Published 06 Dec, 2018 05:57am

Banking

Dollar diary: Don’t go the Dar way

The exchange and interest rate shocks sent jitters to the investors community on Friday. First half was no different tha

Published 03 Dec, 2018 06:28am

Banking

Promoting fintechs

Fintech is changing how financial activities are conducted around the globe. The use of technology to bring out innovati

Published 03 Dec, 2018 06:23am

Banking

Payment security: buckle up!

Better late than never! It’s been almost a month since news broke of security breach at a local bank’s digital payment s

Published 30 Nov, 2018 05:59am

Banking

Rate hike — how much is needed?

The Monetary policy announcement is on Friday; the market is clearly expecting a 50-100 bps increase in interest rates.

Updated 28 Nov, 2018 06:42am

Banking

The harrowing deficit tale

The first quarter FY19 deficit raised to an alarming level of 1.4 percent of GDP - highest 1Q deficit since FY11, eludin

Published 26 Nov, 2018 06:05am

Banking

BoT – a continuation of trends

The brakes have been applied to the widening current account deficit and as a result, imports have registered zero perce

Published 26 Nov, 2018 05:51am

Banking

Current account shaping up the Egyptian way

The current account deficit dipped by 5 percent to $4.8 billion in 4MFY19 – such small reduction does not mean the curre

Published 19 Nov, 2018 08:38am

Banking

The FDI quagmire

Nothing much has changed in how the foreign direct investment has been behaving. Net FDI inflows nosedived by over 46 pe

Published 16 Nov, 2018 06:43am

Banking

Understanding the remittance growth

Decent growth in remittances of late has lured analysts to connect it to increased vigilance on money laundering, crackd

Published 15 Nov, 2018 06:56am

Banking

Fiscal space in a tight spot, again

Fiscal policy, especially the FBR is going to be in tough spot with reference to ongoing negotiation with the IMF. The F

Published 12 Nov, 2018 07:04am

Banking

Remittance revival!

It’s super exciting to see 38 percent month-on-month growth in remittance flows in October 2018; it’s the highest month-

Updated 12 Nov, 2018 07:12am

Banking

Compromised?

News of security breach in the overseas payment systems of a local bank broke over the weekend. A notification was issue

Published 01 Nov, 2018 06:26am

Banking

HBL: lending more–earning more

Pakistan’s largest commercial bank HBL Bank Limited (HBL) announced its 9MCY18 financial results earlier, posting a mass

Published 01 Nov, 2018 06:22am

Banking

Doing away with the transaction tax

The incumbent finance minister is keen to undo the adverse impact of a few policies run by the previous finance head (Da

Published 30 Oct, 2018 06:07am

Banking

A case for doing without the IMF

Just like there is a political divide in the country - either you are a PMLN supporter or of PTI; there is an economists

Published 26 Oct, 2018 06:40am

Banking

MCB consolidates in 9MCY18

MCB Bank announced its 9MCY18 financial results, accompanied with yet another interim cash dividend of Rs4 per share. Th

Published 26 Oct, 2018 06:18am

Banking

Current account breather

The current account deficit stood at $3.7 billion in 1QFY19 - lowest in five quarters. The question is whether the lower

Published 24 Oct, 2018 06:17am

Banking

Bank Al Habib lends strong

Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL) posted a 4 percent year-on-year drop in pre-tax profits for 9MCY18. But the real story has

Published 24 Oct, 2018 06:14am

Banking

Dollar desperation

That the US dollar is increasingly becoming a scarce commodity in Pakistan is known to all and sundry by now. The questi

Published 23 Oct, 2018 06:25am

Banking

External financing Plan B

There are no two ways on the fact that Pakistan needs additional$7-8 billion in SBP reserves within a couple of months,

Published 22 Oct, 2018 07:02am

Banking

Weak FDI; weaker outlook

The first quarter of FY19 has spelled bane for foreign direct investments (FDI) in the country. According to central ban

Published 19 Oct, 2018 06:24am

Banking

Remittances in Naya Pakistan

High hopes have been attached to the remittances under the new government with the Premier also asking the overseas Paki

Published 16 Oct, 2018 06:25am

Banking

Which IMF programme?

The funding gap, according to SBP presentation to the PM in the presence of panel of economists, is $10-12 billion this

Updated 11 Oct, 2018 07:34am

Banking

Credit off-take: up but for how long?

In a rather surprising development, credit flow in the first two month of current fiscal year has been positive. About R

Published 05 Oct, 2018 06:50am

Banking

Silver lining in higher oil prices

The uncertainty is testing the temperament of investors, speculators and business persons alike. The supposed lack of po

Published 03 Oct, 2018 06:53am

Banking

MPS decision: half century or a ton?

The monetary policy is due tomorrow; the austerity wave is expected to continue with hawks expected to dominate the mone

Published 28 Sep, 2018 08:44am

Banking

BoT: deceptively promising

Continuing last month’s trend, the 2MFY18 trade numbers posted by PBS appear to have improved. Exports are up, imports h

Published 25 Sep, 2018 06:45am

Banking

Trade deficit breather

After an abnormally high deficit in July18, the current account slippages were a little too low in August. The CAD was

Published 24 Sep, 2018 06:12am

Banking

Remittances and the two Eid’s

Several heads of exchange companies and remittance firms tell BR Research that Pakistanis working and living abroad send

Published 19 Sep, 2018 06:17am

Banking

FDI needs a jolt

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) could do better in Naya Pakistan. As per the latest central bank data, net FDI came in 3

Published 17 Sep, 2018 09:30am

Banking

Dam financing

There has been some criticism of the dam fund set up by the honourable Supreme Court and later the prime minister’s join

Published 13 Sep, 2018 07:39am

Banking

Will remittances show some love?

If social media is anything to go by, the new premier is the darling of Pakistan’s expat community. But love seldom come

Published 12 Sep, 2018 06:47am

Banking

Long road to a cash-lite economy

Even though usage of the digital alternative delivery channels (ADCs) is on the rise, it would, apparently, take long be

Published 30 Aug, 2018 07:07am

Banking

The fiscal royal mess

The PMLN government left the economy on a messy note. The fiscal deficit target has been missed by whopping 2.5 percent

Published 30 Aug, 2018 07:05am

Banking

MCB in 1HCY18

MCB Bank recorded a healthy top-line growth during 1HCY18, but that failed to translate into an equally healthy bottom-l

Published 28 Aug, 2018 07:09am

Banking

Soaring deficit – normalcy to resume

Contrary to expectations, there is no respite to current account deficit - it stood at $2.2 billion in Jul18 which is th

Published 27 Aug, 2018 06:22am

Banking

FDI down; non-Sino FDI worse

What a start to the fiscal year! FDI data for July 2018 shows how Murphy’s Law is played out in real life: gross FDI inf

Published 20 Aug, 2018 07:26am

Banking

Bank Al Habib: strong balance sheet

Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL) announced its 1HCY18 financial results, posting a 5 percent year-on-year drop in after-tax

Published 17 Aug, 2018 06:12am

Banking

Picking the right lender(s)

With every passing day the ambiguity of entering into a fresh IMF programme increases. The international media coverage

Published 16 Aug, 2018 06:13am

Banking

In search of patriotic capital

Now that change is in the air, will the feel-good factor attract some low-cost patriotic capital? The PTI’s electoral vi

Published 13 Aug, 2018 06:36am

Banking

Allied Bank: sound and strong

Allied Bank Limited (ABLL) ticked all the right boxes in 1HCY18. The bank’s balance continued to expand, with an asset b

Published 13 Aug, 2018 06:32am

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Dec 17	278.60
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Dec 17	278.60
USD to Japanese Yen / Dec 17	153.56
USD to Swiss Franc / Dec 17	0.89
Pound Sterling to USD / Dec 17	1.27
Euro to USD / Dec 17	1.05

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Dec 17	6,050.61
India Sensex / Dec 17	80,684.45
Tokyo Nikkei / Dec 17	39,164.26
Nasdaq / Dec 17	20,109.06
Hang Seng / Dec 17	19,815.30
FTSE 100 / Dec 17	8,195.20
Dow Jones / Dec 17	43,449.90
Germany DAX 30 / Dec 17	20,246.37

Item	Value
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Dec 17	70.11
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Dec 17	17,585
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Dec 17	241,860
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Dec 17	2,644.07
Cotton US¢/pound / Dec 17	68.53
Petrol/Litre / Dec 18	252.10

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
LSE Capital / Dec 18 LSE Capital Limited(LSECL)	6.70 ▲ 1.00 (17.54%)
Dadabhoy Cement / Dec 18 Dadabhoy Cement Industries Limited(DBCI)	7.87 ▲ 0.76 (10.69%)
Aisha Steel Mill / Dec 18 Aisha Steel Mills Limited(ASL)	11.06 ▲ 1.01 (10.05%)
Oilboy Energy / Dec 18 Oilboy Energy Limited(OBOY)	11.50 ▲ 1.05 (10.05%)
Nimir Resins / Dec 18 Nimir Resins Limited(NRSL)	35.16 ▲ 3.20 (10.01%)
Data Agro / Dec 18 Data Agro Limited(DAAG)	139.24 ▲ 12.66 (10.00%)
Diamond Ind. / Dec 18 Diamond Industries Limited(DIIL)	20.90 ▲ 1.90 (10.00%)
Pak Datacom / Dec 18 Pak Datacom Limited(PAKD)	103.94 ▲ 9.45 (10.00%)
B.R.R. Guardian / Dec 18 B.R.R. Guardian Limited(BRRG)	21.24 ▲ 1.93 (9.99%)

Stock	Price
Equity Modaraba / Dec 18 First Equity Modaraba(FEM)	3.01 ▼ -0.43 (-12.50%)
Dewan Textile / Dec 18 Dewan Textile Mills Limited(DWTM)	5.67 ▼ -0.77 (-11.96%)
Blue-Ex Ltd / Dec 18 Blue-Ex Limited (GEM)(GEMBLUEX)	37.76 ▼ -4.20 (-10.01%)
National Bank / Dec 18 National Bank of Pakistan(NBP)	66.38 ▼ -7.38 (-10.01%)
Din Tex. / Dec 18 Din Textile Mills Limited(DINT)	45.90 ▼ -5.10 (-10.00%)
Mari Petroleum / Dec 18 Mari Petroleum Company Limited(MARI)	728.78 ▼ -80.98 (-10.00%)
Bilal Fibres / Dec 18 Bilal Fibres Limited(BILF)	12.61 ▼ -1.40 (-9.99%)
Calcorp Ltd / Dec 18 Calcorp Limited(CASH)	26.22 ▼ -2.91 (-9.99%)
Imperial Limited / Dec 18 Imperial Limited(IML)	20.20 ▼ -2.20 (-9.82%)

Stock	Volume
WorldCall Telecom / Dec 18 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	151,921,663 ▼ -0.12
Pak Elektron / Dec 18 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	107,502,606 ▲ 0.12
Cnergyico PK / Dec 18 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	58,285,174 ▼ -0.48
B.O.Punjab / Dec 18 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	57,202,972 ▲ 0.04
Pak Refinery / Dec 18 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	55,973,468 ▼ -0.45
Sui South Gas / Dec 18 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited(SSGC)	42,923,281 ▲ 1.40
PIA Holding Co.Ltd / Dec 18 PIA Holding Company Limited(PIAHCLA)	36,897,118 ▲ 0.04
Hub Power Co. / Dec 18 The Hub Power Company Limited(HUBC)	33,289,968 ▼ -3.24
K-Electric Ltd. / Dec 18 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	31,365,092 ▼ -0.14

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