Business - DAWN.COM

E-Paper | March 02, 2026

UAE halts stock markets for two days after Iran strikes

UAE halts stock markets for two days after Iran strikes

UAE's two exchanges are home to some of the region's most valuable listed companies, and their closure keeps billions of dollars in listed assets in suspension.

Published 02 Mar, 2026 12:24am

Related

PSX Highlights of the Day

Company	Price	Change	Change %	Volume
GUSMWU	6.15	1	19.42 ▲	1,161
MDTL	6.54	0.65	11.04 ▲	14,492,488
PASMNC	5.76	0.56	10.77 ▲	1,905
BFMOD	22.5	2.05	10.02 ▲	107,222
ITANZ	20.45	1.86	10.01 ▲	30,000

Company	Price	Change	Change %	Volume
LOADSR1	0.4	-0.24	-37.50 ▼	5,933,990
GSPMNC	4.22	-0.48	-10.21 ▼	1,789
EMCO	42.9	-4.77	-10.01 ▼	86,718
ESBL	21.57	-2.4	-10.01 ▼	692,287
GGGL	8.1	-0.9	-10.00 ▼	2,503,945

Source: PSX | Updated Feb 27, 2026

Oil jumps 10pc on Iran conflict and could spike to $100 a barrel, analysts say

Oil jumps 10pc on Iran conflict and could spike to $100 a barrel, analysts say

“While the military attacks are themselves supportive for oil prices, the key factor here is the closing of the Strait of Hormuz,” says Ajay Parmar.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 10:06pm

FBR misses collection target by Rs429bn in eight months

FBR misses collection target by Rs429bn in eight months

Records 11pc YoY rise to Rs8.121tr; income, sales tax collection falls.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:57am

Branded Content

Looking for the best spring mattress in Pakistan? Here’s why Hotel Grandiose stands out

Looking for the best spring mattress in Pakistan? Here’s why Hotel Grandiose stands out

The Hotel Grandiose by Celeste is designed around structure, balance and long-term performance.

Decapeptide-12 and the architecture of targeted Melanogenesis Modulation research

Decapeptide-12 and the architecture of targeted Melanogenesis Modulation research

A precision-engineered decapeptide reshaping how researchers approach melanogenesis modulation at the enzymatic level.

K&N’s SmartCooking Recipes: Schezwan Tempura Skillet

K&N’s SmartCooking Recipes: Schezwan Tempura Skillet

A fiery Schezwan chicken tempura skillet layered with melted mozzarella peppers and bold chilli flavours for a spicy indulgent treat.

Middle East war to hamper Pakistan’s external trade

Middle East war to hamper Pakistan’s external trade

Remittances likely to decline during Ramazan.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:14am

IMF discusses economic outlook with multinationals

IMF discusses economic outlook with multinationals

Foreign investors seek ‘super tax’ abolition.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:19am

Mixed 2025 for food giants amid economic strain

Mixed 2025 for food giants amid economic strain

Companies remain cautiously optimistic for 2026, focusing on brand investment, operational efficiency.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:06am

Govt hikes petrol price by Rs8, high-speed diesel by Rs5

Govt hikes petrol price by Rs8, high-speed diesel by Rs5

After the increase, the price of petrol has jumped from Rs258.17 to Rs266.17 per litre while high-speed diesel's price now stands at Rs280.86.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 08:42am

Export challenges mount for textiles

Export challenges mount for textiles

High costs, energy tariffs choke growth.

Published 28 Feb, 2026 06:42am

PSX slips as border tensions unnerve investors

PSX slips as border tensions unnerve investors

The benchmark KSE-100 index fell 831 points, or 0.49 per cent, to close at 168,062 after a volatile, range-bound session.

Published 28 Feb, 2026 06:42am

Food, energy prices push SPI up 4.23pc

Food, energy prices push SPI up 4.23pc

The prolonged upward trend has been largely driven by sharp increases in the prices of vegetables and other perishable items.

Updated 28 Feb, 2026 09:29am

With the Gulf lighting up, oil emerges as Pakistan’s biggest economic risk

With the Gulf lighting up, oil emerges as Pakistan’s biggest economic risk

How US-Iran tensions could shape world markets

How US-Iran tensions could shape world markets

The path to development in Pakistan’s mining sector lies in our human resource development

The path to development in Pakistan’s mining sector lies in our human resource development

Highlights

Ongoing energy transitions

Ongoing energy transitions

In favour of frontier bond markets

In favour of frontier bond markets

The employment of tomorrow

The employment of tomorrow

Regional tensions complicate Pakistan’s Central Asia trade ambitions

Regional tensions complicate Pakistan’s Central Asia trade ambitions

Growing complacent over trade

Growing complacent over trade

Computerising Sindh’s land records

Computerising Sindh’s land records

Business & Finance

The spirit of giving

The spirit of giving

Charitable donations in Pakistan have grown faster than the broader economy over the past decade.

In favour of frontier bond markets

In favour of frontier bond markets

‘As a large debt market, Pakistan has the scale to attract meaningful institutional participation, provided liquidity and policy

Tariffs as a ladder, not a wall

Our growth challenge is not a lack of protection, but a lack of discipline in enforcing reforms and driving competitiveness

Ongoing energy transitions

Ongoing energy transitions

A growing number of industrial units are installing behind-the-meter solar systems to mitigate expensive grid electricity.

A diseased mango season

A diseased mango season

‘The tendency of outsourcing is the root cause of various issues hitting orchards every now and then’

The ecological cost of pesticides

The ecological cost of pesticides

Areas with heavy pesticide reliance experience declining beneficial insect populations and weaker soil biology, which harms crop productivity.

Political approach to resolving problems

Political approach to resolving problems

Provinces demand autonomy but resist local devolution and taxes, while the centre demands fiscal discipline but struggles to relinquish control.

KSE 100-share index fluctuations

KSE 100-share index fluctuations

Chart by Mohammad Zeeshan Ali Khan

Newspaper

FBR misses collection target by Rs429bn in eight months

Mixed 2025 for food giants amid economic strain

Middle East war to hamper Pakistan’s external trade

IMF discusses economic outlook with multinationals

CCP approves acquisition

Equities tend southward as volatility persists for fifth week

Geopolitical risks cloud growth outlook

Export challenges mount for textiles

Economic coordination committee cuts mortgage rate to 5pc

Petrol, diesel prices set to rise

Food, energy prices push SPI up 4.23pc

Wafi Energy posts Rs3.5bn profit

Sui Southern gets new chief executive

PSX slips as border tensions unnerve investors

Tensions slow Pakistani investment in Dubai real estate

Banks earn Rs671bn profits in 2025

Govt awards 11 more oil, gas blocks

Fuel cost adjustment row erupts over PM’s power package

CCP clears acquisition of Attock Cement

Power Division contests Nepra findings

KCCI defends proposed amendment to trade rules

SBP reserves rise by $16m

Bulls stage 4,266-point recovery rally

Auto assemblers warn of market distortion after REEV duty decision