Economic data
Consumer firms defy economic headwinds
KARACHI: Amid rising food inflation and weakening purchasing power from higher fuel costs driven by Middle East tensions since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran on Feb 28, local and multinational consumer goods companies in Pakistan reported improved sales in the first nine months of 2026 and the first quarter of FY27. However, some companies remain cautious about their full-year 2026 outlook amid persistent inflationary pressures. Nestlé Pakistan Nestlé Pakistan’s net sales for the nine months ended Sept 30, amounted to Rs160bn, up 6.3pc from the corresponding period last year. Despite r