Mughal Iron & Steel Industries Ltd. (PSX: MUGHAL) has reported a sharp drop in profitability for the nine‑month period to 31 March 2025. Consolidated after‑tax profit fell 70% year‑on‑year to Rs412 million, driving earnings per share down to Rs1.23 from Rs4.15 a year earlier. Top‑line activity was broadly flat: gross sales slipped just 1% to Rs75.7 billion, but gross margins narrowed and finance costs swelled, eroding the bottom line.
On a standalone basis the picture was only marginally better, with net profit of Rs453 million (EPS Rs1.35) versus Rs1.39 billion last year. Management blamed the earnings squeeze on a combination of higher borrowing costs linked to Sukuk financing and a marked contraction in non‑ferrous (copper) sales, which traditionally carry far fatter margins than the company’s core steel products.
The headline revenue line conceals a decisive rotation inside the product portfolio. The content in this publication is expensive to produce. But unlike other journalistic outfits, business publications have to cover the very organizations that directly give them advertisements. Hence, this large source of revenue, which is the lifeblood of other media houses, is severely compromised on account of Profit’s no-compromise policy when it comes to our reporting. No wonder, Profit has lost multiple ad deals, worth tens of millions of rupees, due to stories that held big businesses to account. Hence, for our work to continue unfettered, it must be supported by discerning readers who know the value of quality business journalism, not just for the economy but for the society as a whole.To read the full article, subscribe and support independent business journalism in Pakistan