KARACHI: Lucky Cement Ltd posted profit-after-tax (PAT) at Rs4.54 billion translating into earnings per share (EPS) at Rs14.04 for the first half of FY21. It represented growth of 134pc over the PAT of Rs1.94bn and EPS at Rs5.99 in the 1HFY20. Net sales rose 42pc to Rs30.07bn in 1HFY21 from Rs21.21 SPLY.

ISL earnings surge

International Steels Ltd (ISL) declared PAT at Rs2.77bn for the 1HFY21 and EPS at Rs6.38. The profit soared from Rs466m and EPS at Re1.07 in 1HFY20. Net sales recorded growth of 32pc to Rs33.5bn from Rs25.4bn year-on-year.

The board announced an interim cash dividend of Rs3 per share.

PSX, MRA Securities ink pact

An agreement was signed on Friday between the PSX and MRA Securities Ltd for on boarding of MRA as market maker for Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) listed on the PSX. The bourse said in a press release that the latest addition would add depth and liquidity to the equity market for ETFs.

Comprehensive agri-growth strategy in the offing

ISLAMABAD: An integrated structural reforms-oriented agricultural growth strategy for the next seven years has been prepared by the National Assembly Special Committee on Agricultural Products which will be presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan and laid before the house for debate.

A presentation on the growth strategy has been made to a committee of the cabinet working on the new agriculture package. Presiding over a meeting of the special committee in Islamabad on Friday, National Assembly Speaker and chairman of the committee Asad Qaiser called for a close scrutiny of the entire strategy with a view to build national consensus on the proposed agricultural growth strategy.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2021