Karachi: The Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited (PABC), a leading manufacturer and exporter of aluminium beverage cans, has reported a substantial decline in its half-yearly financial results for the period ending June 30, 2026. According to the report released on August 20, 2026, the company experienced a 43.93% drop in net sales, amounting to PKR 7.59 billion, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
The company attributes the decline primarily to ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges, which have disrupted trade with Afghanistan and impeded access to Central Asian markets. These disruptions, persistent since October 2025, have severely impacted export volumes. Conversely, local sales volume saw a 10% increase from the same period last year, indicating an uptick in domestic demand. However, overall consumption remains below regional benchmarks.
Despite a decrease in sales and net profits, the company managed to improve its gross profit margin to 38.90%, up from 34.90% last year, and its profit after tax margin to 37.59%, from 28.73%. The company cites favorable inventory valuation gains, driven by increased aluminium prices on the London Metals Exchange (LME), as a key factor in these margin improvements. As LME prices serve as a principal component of can production costs, these gains are subject to market fluctuations.
According to information available from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the company’s earnings per share dropped to PKR 7.91 from PKR 10.78 in the previous year, representing a significant move of -26.62%. The company’s gross profit stood at PKR 2.95 billion, a decrease of 37.51% from the previous year’s PKR 4.72 billion. Profit before tax also fell by 26.79%, from PKR 3.92 billion to PKR 2.87 billion.
Operating within a Special Economic Zone, PABC continues to benefit from tax exemptions under the Finance Act, 2025, resulting in no current tax provision for the period. This is consistent with the approach in the previous year.
In terms of market strategy, the company remains committed to navigating the challenging external environment, characterized by regional and global geopolitical risks, volatility in energy and commodity prices, and trade flow disruptions. PABC aims to sustain growth, protect margins, and strengthen its position in both domestic and key export markets through diversification, operational resilience, and prudent financial management.