Karachi — The combined profitability of companies listed on the KSE-100 index rose by 1.8% year-on-year to Rs. 1.66 trillion in fiscal year 2025, according to a report by Arif Habib Limited (AHL).
The modest increase was supported by strong performances in commercial banks, fertilizers, automobiles, cement, and pharmaceuticals, while energy, textiles, and chemicals dragged overall growth.
Commercial banks remained the single largest contributor, reporting a 9% rise in profits to Rs. 592 billion, fueled by higher net interest income, capital gains, and lower provisioning. Fertilizer companies followed with a 7% growth to Rs. 138 billion, supported by the Fauji Fertilizer–FFC merger, stronger margins, and robust dividend income.
The auto sector recorded a sharp 39% surge in profitability to Rs. 65 billion, as lower inflation, reduced interest rates, and stronger consumer demand boosted sales. Cement manufacturers posted a 41% increase in earnings to Rs. 155 billion on the back of favorable retention prices, improved power generation mix, and lower financing costs.
Pharmaceutical firms outpaced all other sectors, with profits jumping 119% to Rs. 27 billion, driven by revised medicine pricing, regulatory approvals, and lower raw material costs.
On the flip side, energy and export-focused industries weighed heavily on overall performance. Oil and gas exploration companies’ earnings fell 20% to Rs. 351 billion due to lower international prices, reduced production, and PKR appreciation. Oil marketing companies posted only a modest 3% rise to Rs. 71 billion, as inventory losses offset margin gains.
Power producers reported a steep 40% decline to Rs. 49 billion, largely due to the termination of Hub Power Company’s base plant agreement and adjustments tied to Narowal Energy and other plants.
Export-driven sectors also struggled. Textile composite companies saw profits plunge 55% to Rs. 8 billion amid higher energy tariffs and taxation under export regimes. The chemicals sector’s profitability dropped 41% to Rs. 14 billion, pressured by weak global margins and higher gas costs.
In technology, sector-wide losses narrowed to Rs. 5.2 billion from Rs. 10.2 billion. This was primarily due to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited cutting losses and Systems Limited reporting a 41% profit rise.
The AHL report, covering 79 companies representing 93% of the KSE-100’s market capitalization, noted that while strong banking, auto, cement, and pharma earnings supported the overall increase, steep declines in energy and exports highlighted the uneven recovery in FY25 corporate profitability.
