Cases dropped against Inauguration donors

A new analysis released on Monday, following the latest Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, reveals that the Trump administration has dropped or paused federal enforcement actions against at least 17 corporations that contributed to the president’s inaugural fund.

The findings suggest that corporate donations to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration are yielding favorable outcomes for the companies involved.

Corporations facing federal lawsuits and investigations aren't giving millions to Trump's inauguration out of the kindness of their hearts. They're buying goodwill.

The watchdog group Public Citizen cross-referenced FEC data published on Sunday with its Corporate Enforcement Tracker, which monitors companies embroiled in federal legal actions.

According to the report, corporations under federal investigation or enforcement lawsuits contributed a total of US$50 million to Trump’s inaugural committee. Trump raised a record-setting US$239 million for his second inauguration, the filings show.

“Corporations facing federal lawsuits and investigations aren't donating millions out of goodwill,” said Rick Claypool, a researcher with Public Citizen. “They're attempting to buy influence. When a company is under investigation or prosecution, that influence can mean having cases dropped, settlements withdrawn, or even pardons granted.”

Notable companies whose federal enforcement cases were dismissed after donating to Trump’s inauguration include Bank of America, Capital One, Coinbase, DuPont, and JPMorgan Chase.

The report also highlights potential benefits for Google, which donated US$1 million. During an ongoing antitrust case, the Trump Justice Department abandoned a proposed breakup plan that would have required Google to divest its artificial intelligence assets. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, was among several prominent corporate leaders given high-profile roles during the January ceremony.

Other inauguration donors have reaped different rewards. For instance, after Intuit, the tax preparation giant, donated US$1 million, the Trump administration moved to dismantle the IRS’s free Direct File program—a move that critics say serves Intuit’s interests.

Former US Labor Secretary Robert Reich drew attention to the pattern on social media noted, Apple donated US$1 million. Trump exempted most of Apple's imports from tariffs.

Coinbase donated US$1 million. Trump's SEC dropped a major lawsuit against them.

Observers have raised growing concerns about apparent pay-to-play corruption in the early months of Trump’s second term. Critics argue the administration has effectively put a “For Sale” sign on the White House.

Further blurring the lines between governance and corporate influence, CBS News reported that this year’s White House Easter Egg Roll was largely sponsored by private companies—a departure from the traditional support of the American Egg Board. Sponsors included Amazon, YouTube, and Meta, which funded various stations at the event.

“Nothing says Happy Easter in Trump 2.0 like corporate sponsorships at the White House Egg Roll,” Public Citizen commented. “They never miss an opportunity for a little old-fashioned corporate bribery.”

Gold record run gains further traction

Gold remarkable run higher is reaching new heights, with the market touching US$3,500 per ounce as confidence in the US economy further erodes after President Donald Trump's renewed attack on the Federal Reserve chair. Spot gold was trading around US$3,428 per ounce by 1417 GMT, after hitting a record US$3,500.05 earlier in the session, reports Reuters.

Trump said on Monday the US economy could slow down unless interest rates are lowered immediately, repeating his criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell as being slow to act and calling him a "major loser".

That was followed by a furious flight from US assets which undermined Wall Street and the dollar, while concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve piled fresh pressure on Treasuries.

"Gold is recalibrating to reflect what can only be described as epic changes in the global financial system. And those changes are a widespread and fundamental shift in confidence in the world’s reserve currency and its bond markets," said independent analyst Ross Norman.

Bullion, renowned as a hedge against uncertainties and a highly liquid asset, has surged more than US$800 since the start of the year. It surpassed US$3,300 last Wednesday, and its strong momentum pushed it up by nearly US$200 in just a few days.

Adrian Ash, director of research at BullionVault, said central bank demand is very likely chasing gold's move higher, because Trump 2.0’s chaos only hardens gold’s appeal as a geopolitical asset".

In the final quarter of 2024, when Trump won the US election, central bank purchases accelerated 54% year-on-year to 333 tons, according to an estimate from the World Gold Council.

Data showed that China's central bank added gold to its reserves in March for the fifth straight month. China is considering setting up overseas warehouses to aid international settlement of specific products on the Shanghai Gold Exchange, its central bank said.

ANZ last week also raised its year-end gold price forecast to US$3,600.

Asked about a pause in the rally, analysts and experts said any correction is likely to be short-lived, and greater gains are most likely on the horizon if instability persists.

"It is hard just now to see a scenario where gold could correct sharply lower as a physical floor of Johnny-come-lately buyers would support or cushion the decline," said Norman.

Julius Baer analyst Carsten Menke said a major road block for gold would be a less confrontative President Trump, either on the side of trade or on the side of monetary policy - both of which seem rather unlikely at the moment.

Spot gold has hit 28 record highs so far in 2025, of which 16 are above the US$3,000/ oz milestone. Prices are up 31% so far this year, after ending 2024 with a 27% annual rise.

Pros and cons of importing US oil for Pakistan

Pakistan is considering importing crude oil from the United States to offset a trade imbalance that triggered higher US tariffs. However, many analysts question the economic viability of the proposal. Let us explore prose and cons of the proposal.

Pakistan imported 137,000 barrels per day of crude in 2024, mostly light grades from the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates among its top suppliers. Oil imports amounted over US$5 billion in 2024.

In February 2025, Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), extended a US$1.2 billion financing facility to Pakistan for the import of oil products for a year. The SFD has provided approximately US$7 billion to Islamabad for oil products since 2019.

While the Government seems adamant at importing crude oil from the United States, experts have to find credible replies in favor of the move.

​Importing crude oil from the US could be a strategically viable option for Pakistan, but it involves several economic, logistical, and technical considerations.​

Potential Benefits

Reducing Trade Imbalance and Tariffs
Pakistan is exploring the import of US crude oil to address a US$3 billion trade surplus with the US, which has led to a 29% tariff on Pakistani exports. By purchasing approximately US$1 billion worth of US crude, Pakistan aims to mitigate these tariffs and improve trade relations.

Diversification of Energy Sources
Currently, Pakistan relies heavily on Middle Eastern countries for its crude oil imports, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE accounting for over 95% of its supply. Introducing US crude into the mix could enhance energy security by diversifying supply sources.

Challenges and Constraints

Refinery Compatibility
Pakistani refineries are primarily configured to process Middle Eastern light crude. While the exact compatibility with US crude grades varies, historical challenges with processing non-Middle Eastern crude, such as Russian oil, suggest potential technical limitations.

Higher Transportation Costs
Transporting crude oil from the United States involves longer distances as compared to Middle Eastern sources, leading to increased shipping costs and logistical complexities.

Dependence on Existing Financial Support
Saudi Arabia provides significant financial assistance to Pakistan for oil imports, shifting a portion of imports to the US might affect these favorable financing arrangements.

 Infrastructure Considerations

Pakistan's current oil import infrastructure includes ports like Karachi and specialized facilities such as Cnergyico's Single Point Mooring (SPM), capable of handling large crude carriers. While these facilities can accommodate increased imports, the overall capacity and efficiency of the supply chain would need assessment to handle US crude effectively.

Importing crude oil from the United States presents an opportunity to Pakistan to diversify its energy sources and address trade imbalances. However, it requires careful consideration of refinery capabilities, transportation logistics, and existing financial dependencies.

 

Threat to Powell tanks markets

According to Bloomberg, President Donald Trump sent the US stock market plummeting again, this time with social media snark and derisive playground nicknames aimed at the Chair of the US Federal Reserve.

The president, under increasing pressure for singlehandedly destabilizing global markets with his trade war, has turned his attention to interest rates in a bid to avoid what economists increasingly fear is a recession dead ahead.

Trump’s public mulling over whether he can legally fire Powell have market watchers eyeing a potential broad-based loss of confidence in the US economy if he were to try it.

The 78-year-old Republican’s taunts came before he met with executives of major retailers at the White House—those whose businesses are set to bear the brunt of tariffs the White House has temporarily suspended. The Monday meeting was said to have included representatives from Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target. 

By the time markets closed, the S&P 500 and other major US stock indices had dropped around 2.5%, The gauge of the dollar weakened to a 15-month low. The benchmark 10-year Treasury fell with the yield reaching 4.4%.

As investors turned away from US securities, haven assets climbed. Gold jumped to another record, above US$3,400 an ounce, while the Swiss franc gained around 1% against the dollar. 

United States being labelled untrustworthy

Donald Trump, after assuming charge of president of United States has issued many administrative orders. Though, many of these have been suspended for a predefined period, the super power and the largest democracy is being labelled "untrustworthy". It is also being said that the perception can vary depending on who is saying it, their political stance, and the context. Here are some of the narratives, it is left at the reader to have his/ her own view.

Shifting Foreign Policy

The US has had a tendency to change its foreign policy dramatically between administrations. What one president supports, another might reverse. For allies and international partners, this unpredictability creates a sense of instability and mistrust. The example often cited is that of the US joining and then withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, Paris Climate Agreement, and even the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Military Interventions

The US has a long history of military involvement in other countries—some could be justified, but many remains controversial i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya. These interventions often came with promises of democracy or stability but often result in prolonged conflict or power vacuums. This forces the people in those regions, and globally, to question US intentions.

Economic Sanctions and Trade Wars

The US commonly uses economic sanctions as a foreign policy tool, which annoys people of these as well as other countries. Though US says, sanctions target governments, but people are the ultimate sufferers. The recent trade war with China and even allies cements the perceptions of unpredictability and economic aggression.

Domestic Issues Tarnish Global Reputation

Events like the Capitol riot, racial tensions, mass shootings, and political polarization have impacted how other countries view the governance and values of the US administration. Not only the image of US administration is tarnished, but its moral authority to dictate other countries is questioned.

Intelligence and Surveillance Concerns

Revelations like the Snowden leaks showed that the US was spying not just on adversaries but on allies also, even leaders of friendly nations like Germany. That definitely dents the trust.

Broken Promises/ Inconsistent Support

Countries/ groups that relied on US support—like the Kurds in Syria or Afghan have often felt abandoned when political priorities changed. That history leads others to question whether American support will endure when it is needed the most.

Way Forward

It must be kept in mind that despite all these broken promises, last minute ditches and sudden and abrupt change in policies, many people still see the United States a global leader in innovation, freedom, and human rights. The “untrustworthy” label is becoming universal and once an alternative currency to the Greenback becomes a reality the United States would be left alone.

 

 

 

 

PSX benchmark index up 2.14%WoW

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) regained momentum amid easing concerns over tariff tensions and stability in global crude oil prices. This recovery was further supported by improved corporate earnings. The KSE-100 index closed the week on Friday April 18, 2025 at 117,315 points, marking a gain of 2,462 points, up 2.14%WoW.

Average daily traded volume remained low, down by 18.2%WoW, to 455.8 million shares as compared to 557.3 million shares traded a week ago. Commercial banks were key contributors to the market’s rally, driven by stronger-than-expected earnings from UBL.

Moreover, Fitch upgraded Pakistan’s rating to ‘B-’ from ‘CCC+’, amid expectations that continuation of stable economic policies will persist in supporting accumulation of foreign exchange reserves and contain external funding needs.

Alongside, news that the government and commercial banks have signed a term sheet for PKR1.2 trillion, as part of efforts to eliminate circular debt.

On the macroeconomic front, remittances by overseas Pakistanis for March 2025 touched a record high of US$4.1 billion, taking the current account surplus to US$1.2 billion —the highest monthly surplus on record.

Power generation in March 2025 was reported at 8,411GWh, up 5%YoY.

Other major news flow during the week included: 1) Pak-IMF technical-level talks to commence next week, 2) Budget to offer relief for salaried class, 3) IT exports surge to US$2.8 billion in 9MFY25, 4) Kuwait extends oil credit facility for two years, and 5) Urea and DAP sales drop by 54%YoY each during March 2025.

Vanaspati & Allied Industries, Leasing Companies, and Jute were amongst the top performing sectors, while, Woollen, Synthetic & Rayon, and Tobacco were amongst the laggards.

Major selling was recorded by Insurance Companies with a net sell of US$35.9 million. Individuals and Other Organizations absorbed most of the selling with a net buy of US$30.9 million.

Top performing scrips of the week were: PGLC, UBL, ATLH, SAZEW, and KTML, while laggards included EPCL, AGL, BNWM, IBFL, and HALEON.

Lower oil prices and favorable standing among exporting peers amid reciprocal tariffs are likely to support the economy and strengthen the outlook for a return to single-digit interest rates in CY25.

According to AKD Securities, the KSE-100 index is anticipated to sustain its upward trajectory, with a target of over 165,000 points by end December 2025. This expectation is primarily based of strong earnings in Fertilizers, sustained ROEs in Banks, and improving cash flows of E&Ps and OMCs, benefiting from falling interest rates and structural reforms.

Top picks of the brokerage house include, OGDC, PPL, PSO, FFC, ENGROH, MEBL, MCB, HBL, FCCL, INDU, ILP and SYS.

 

 

Iran India to expand agricultural trade

Iran and India are poised to enhance their agricultural trade volume beyond the current US$1.0 billion, it was announced by Iran’s Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh following a meeting with India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the BRICS agriculture ministers’ summit in Brazil.

The ministers reviewed previous agreements and reaffirmed their countries’ longstanding cultural, historical, and economic ties. Nouri Ghezeljeh expressed appreciation for India’s support in facilitating Iran’s membership in BRICS and noted that bilateral cooperation is entering a new phase.​

In addition to these developments, Iran and India have agreed to establish a joint agricultural cooperation committee within the next three months. This committee aims to facilitate exports of agricultural products and address issues such as quarantine requirements and customs barriers. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Iran's Deputy Agriculture Minister Mohammad Mehdi Borumandi and Secretary of India's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry Manoj Ahuja in New Delhi. The officials also agreed to hold the first joint working group on agricultural cooperation between the two countries in the near future. ​

Furthermore, Iran's Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alireza Mohajer has voiced the country's readiness to cooperate with BRICS member countries in the agricultural sector. Speaking at the 14th meeting of the BRICS ministers of agriculture in Russia, Mohajer highlighted Iran's strategic geographical position, being situated at the intersection of the North-South and East-West transit corridors. He noted that Iran can help expand regional and international trade networks in agriculture and is an effective partner in bilateral and multilateral cooperation. ​

These initiatives are expected to streamline future collaborations through BRICS mechanisms, particularly financial instruments designed to bypass conventional barriers and facilitate smoother transactions among member states. Both ministers expressed optimism that deeper engagement between Iran and India—within the BRICS framework and bilaterally—will lead to meaningful developments in agricultural and economic relations.