Comment by Riaz Haq on November 4, 2024 at 7:29pm

Weakness In India's Economy Is Showing In Quarterly Corporate Earnings - Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-04/india-market-buz...

It's raining earnings downgrades as economy slows

Read more at: https://www.ndtvprofit.com/markets/india-inc-faces-mounting-earning...

This is the highest proportion since early 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic upended economic activity for months. Jefferies now forecasts that the earnings of Nifty companies will grow at just 10% in the year ending March.

India Inc. Faces Mounting Earnings Downgrades As Growth Slowdown Weighs Jefferies has cut fiscal 2025 earnings estimates for over 60% of the 98 companies it covers which reported second quarter earnings.

Global brokerage firm Jefferies has cut fiscal 2025 earnings estimates for over 60% of the 98 companies it covers which reported second quarter earnings. This is so far the highest downgrade ratio since early 2020, Jefferies said in a note on Oct. 30. "Above normal rains and weak government spending has impacted earnings outcomes," Jefferies said. A clear trend should emerge in the December quarter

For the 98 September 2024 quarter results that Jefferies analysed from their coverage universe, earnings downgrades (63%) were more than earnings upgrades (32%). Meaningful earnings per share downgrades were seen in most cement, oil & lending financials, mid-caps, auto and consumer staples players, it said.

The rising downgrades come as a result of a slowing economy with companies facing severe pressure from weakening urban demand. In recent post-earnings commentaries, heads of these companies have rued the slowing consumption of essentials such as food and shampoo to cars and bikes. Contrary to the Reserve Bank of India's optimistic forecast, Nomura Global Markets Research believes that India's economy

"This is probably the worst earnings cycle that we have seen going into Diwali in a long, long time," according to Rahul Arora, chief executive officer at Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities "What is very evident is that the rural economy is in a mess." Hindustan Unilever Ltd. coming with 2–3% volume growth, a low number from two-wheeler manufacturers, and even certain consumer discretionary company

Comment by Riaz Haq on December 12, 2024 at 10:04am

Pakistan’s expert discovers seed tech in China during an event held in China under the Asian Seed Association.

https://thedailycpec.com/pakistans-expert-discovers-seed-tech-in-ch...

The Asian Seed Congress (ASC), the premier annual event of the Asian Seed Association (APSA), took place in Sanya, Hainan, China, from December 2 to December 5, with the theme “Riding the Wave of Growth in Asia Pacific.” Since its establishment in 1994, ASC has rotated its location yearly across different countries or regions within the Asia-Pacific. This year marked its 29th edition, setting a record with over 1,500 participants from 52 nations, making it the largest gathering in APSA’s history.

Dr. Rasheed, a seasoned agribusiness expert with more than 15 years of experience, represented Pakistan at the congress. Eager to stay abreast of emerging trends and establish partnerships, he expressed particular interest in vegetable seeds, including chili, tomato, melon, and watermelon. “This is my seventh Asian Seed Congress,” shared Dr. Rasheed, currently serving as the research advisor for Pakistan’s Patron Group. He was particularly intrigued by the trade exhibition, where global seed companies showcased their best varieties, while Chinese exhibitors highlighted cutting-edge biotechnologies.

Dr. Rasheed observed an impressive range of biotechnologically engineered seeds resistant to various environmental and biological challenges. These advancements, he noted, have the potential to significantly enhance agricultural yields in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s seed industry holds immense promise within the Asia-Pacific seed market, valued at $29.7 billion, contributing 32% of the global seed market. The region’s seed use is equally significant, with 26.9 billion tonnes, representing nearly 40% of the global total. Such collaborations, Dr. Rasheed remarked, could drive growth and innovation within Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

Highlighting the strong collaboration between Pakistan and China in the seed industry, Dr. Rasheed pointed out China’s extensive seed trade network spanning 116 countries. Hybrid rice, a notable achievement, has been successfully introduced and scaled in regions such as Asia and Latin America. As China’s strategic partner and close neighbor, Pakistan is well-positioned to benefit from and expand such cooperative efforts.

Hybrid rice has proven transformative for Pakistan. Following years of trials, the country has reached a milestone by exporting hybrid rice to third-party markets, symbolizing a significant achievement in agricultural collaboration between China and Pakistan.

Comment by Riaz Haq on December 21, 2024 at 8:21pm

Also known as maize, corn’s success story has, to a large extent, been buried under the media attention that the politics of sugar and wheat usually garner. Yet, maize yields have tripled over the last two decades and according to a report by the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), production has surged over six times – going from 1.6 million tons to 10.6 million tons – a growth that stems from private sector investment, particularly in the form of the import of hybrid seeds and significantly by the absence of government intervention.

For context, about two-thirds of Pakistan’s total corn production of approximately 10 million tons is used for poultry feed, and the remaining is for livestock fodder and other commercial purposes as well as human consumption. While demand is mainly driven by the poultry feed and the dairy sector, corn has myriad applications for consumer goods as well as intermediate goods in the manufacturing sector. In fact, every part of the corn kernel finds a use; the oil is extracted from the germ, starch goes to industry for various products, protein is dried for poultry feed, and fibre is dried for cattle feed.

https://aurora.dawn.com/news/1145082

Comment by Riaz Haq on January 30, 2025 at 8:35pm

State Bank of Pakistan highlights growth in credit disbursement, SME financing, and policy measures to support business sectors.

https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/01/30/agricultural-loans-r...

: Credit disbursement to Pakistan’s agriculture sector has surged to Rs. 1.26 trillion by the end of the first half of the financial year 2025 (FY25), nearing its full-year target of Rs. 2.5 trillion set by the banking regulator for commercial banks. This was revealed by the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmad, during a meeting with business leaders at the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Governor Ahmad attributed the robust credit growth to the SBP’s prudent monetary policy, which has contributed to restoring macroeconomic stability. He also highlighted several key policy initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business, including measures for export and import facilitation, dividend repatriation, support for freelancers and IT exporters, and strengthening the digital ecosystem.

Furthermore, he noted a significant increase in SME financing, which rose from Rs. 543 billion in December 2023 to Rs. 638 billion in December 2024. The governor emphasized the importance of diversifying exports and encouraged the business community to invest in future technologies and explore non-traditional markets.

It’s worth noting that in the previous fiscal year, credit disbursement to the agriculture sector reached Rs. 2.216 trillion, demonstrating the sector’s vital role in the country’s economic framework

Comment by Riaz Haq on September 21, 2026 at 9:04pm

Pakistan’s rice exports hit record 655,000 tonnes in 2MFY27, earnings rise 25% to $392 million

August volumes rise 22% YoY to 308,000 tonnes as export proceeds jump 31% to $192 million; Basmati earnings surge 70%

News Desk
News Desk
September 21, 2026
2 min read


https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/09/21/pakistans-rice-expor...

Pakistan’s rice export volumes rose 20% year-on-year (YoY) to a record 655,000 tonnes during the first two months of FY2027, while export earnings increased 25% to $392 million, according to data compiled by Arif Habib Limited (AHL).

Basmati shipments increased 43% to 146,000 tonnes during July-August from 102,000 tonnes in the same period last year. Other rice exports rose 15% to 509,000 tonnes from 443,000 tonnes.

In value terms, Basmati exports climbed 53% YoY to $164 million during 2MFY27 from $107 million, while proceeds from other rice increased 10% to $228 million from $207 million.

Rice accounted for 7.1% of Pakistan’s total exports during the two-month period, up from 6.2% a year earlier. Basmati’s share increased to 3% from 2.1%, while the share of other rice remained unchanged at 4.1%.

Pakistan’s overall exports stood at $5.504 billion during 2MFY27, up 8% from $5.102 billion in the corresponding period of FY2026.

The rebound was also visible in August, when rice export volumes increased 22% YoY to 308,000 tonnes from 252,000 tonnes. On a month-on-month basis, however, shipments fell 27% from 346,000 tonnes in July.

Basmati volumes jumped 58% YoY to 78,000 tonnes in August from 49,000 tonnes, while other rice shipments increased 14% to 231,000 tonnes from 203,000 tonnes.

Rice export earnings rose faster than volumes, increasing 31% YoY to $192 million from $146 million.

Basmati proceeds surged 70% to $88 million from $52 million, while earnings from other rice increased 10% to $104 million from $95 million.

Rice’s share of Pakistan’s total exports consequently increased to 7.5% in August from 6.1% a year earlier. Basmati accounted for 3.4% of total exports, compared with 2.1% in August 2025, while other rice represented 4.1%, up from 3.9%.

Pakistan’s overall exports reached $2.542 billion in August, increasing 5% YoY from $2.417 billion but falling 18% from $2.962 billion in July.


According to AHL’s analysis, rice exports have rebounded following the post-FY2025 normalisation after India lifted its non-Basmati export ban. The brokerage said the recovery was likely supported by higher acreage amid weaker cotton economics, greater water availability associated with increased solarisation and improved farm economics.

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