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[ad_1] KARACHI: The price of gold hit a three-month high at Rs221,000 per tola (11.66 grams) in Pakistan, following a global trend, as the domestic currency remains largely stable at around Rs285 against the US dollar in the interbank market on Wednesday. With the latest increase of Rs2,600 per tola in the day, the precious metal has cumulatively increased by 2.45% or Rs5,300 in the past four consecutive working days to date, according to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association. According to State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) data, the domestic currency ticked up for the second successive working day by 0.05%, or Rs0.13, to close at Rs285.39 against the greenback. The currency has been fluctuating near and around the currency level for the past around 10 days. While talking to The Express Tribune, AA Gold Commodities, Director Adnan Agar said gold has hit a seven-month high at $2,047 per ounce (31.10 grams) in the international market. This provided the basis for

[ad_1] MUMBAI: The Indian rupee inched down on Thursday to a nearly eight-week low on the back of higher U.S. bond yields and a firmer dollar as risk sentiment improved on hopes of an imminent debt ceiling deal. The rupee was down at 82.4750 against the U.S. dollar, compared to its previous close of 82.38. It hit its lowest since March 24 at 82.4825. "The recent breakout of the U.S. dollar is giving a directional move in USD/INR and oil has also swung back, which is adding some pressure to the rupee," said Anand James, chief market strategist at Geojit Financial Services. "Rupee is moving to a consolidation zone after the recent weakness," James added. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury yields rose overnight and the dollar index surged to an over seven-week high in the wake of positive signs on the debt ceiling negotiations and upbeat housing data. April housing starts data showed a surprise increase of 2.2% month-on-month. "At 1.40 million, the annualised level

[ad_1] KARACHI: The Pakistani currency marked a remarkable surge, hitting an almost one-month high at Rs297.96 against the US dollar in the interbank market on Thursday. This upswing represents the currency’s seventh consecutive working day of gains, attributed to the ongoing crackdown against currency smugglers. According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the rupee recorded a fresh gain of 0.29%, equivalent to Rs0.86, closing at Rs297.96 against the greenback. This remarkable performance translates to an overall gain of almost 3%, or Rs9.14, in the past seven days. The currency’s rally also received indirect support due to speculation regarding an upward revision in the interest rate by the central bank. However, the SBP surprised the market by leaving its key policy rate unchanged at the present 22%. Also read   C/A deficit shrinks 79% over stagnant imports Another unexpected development emerged from Pakistan’s gold market. For the second consecutive working

[ad_1] ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is likely to seek a waiver from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for violating the condition of restricting the difference between inter-bank and open market currency rates as the lender improves its assumption for the average dollar price to Rs300. Highly placed sources said that compared to July’s underlying assumption of Rs305.2 to a dollar, the IMF “is now assuming the average price of US currency at a little below Rs300 by June next year”. They said that due to the breach of the condition of keeping the gap between currency rates at banks and foreign exchange companies at 1.25%, Pakistan would have to secure a waiver from the IMF board for qualifying for the next loan tranche. It is expected that Pakistani authorities will win the wavier as the global lender seems positive about gradual improvements in the currency exchange market. Pakistan and the IMF have already concluded a staff-level agreement that will be followed by the board’s app

[ad_1] The BSE Sensex opened about 320 points lower at 59,902.25, while the NSE Nifty was 84 points down at 17,627.30. On the BSE, 24 out 30 companies on the Sensex were trading in the red in the early trade Domestic bourses on Wednesday opened in the red. The BSE Sensex opened about 320 points lower at 59,902.25, while the NSE Nifty was 84 points down at 17,627.30. The rupee also fell 37 paise to 82.29 against US dollar in the early trade. On the BSE, 24 out 30 companies on the Sensex were trading in the red in the early trade. Among the top losers were Infosys (down 1.36 per cent), Tech Mahindra (minus 1.34 per cent), Bajaj Finserv (down 1.25 per cent), Sun Pharma (down 1.09 per cent), and HCL Tech (down 1.05 per cent). On the BSE, the companies there were in the green were L&T, NTPC, Tata Steel, Maruti, UltraTech Cement and HDFC Bank, trading higher by up to 0.52 per cent. V K Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said, “The dominant trigge

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: The rupee appreciated by 5 paise to settle at 81.97 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, tracking a weak American currency in the overseas market. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 81.90 against the US currency and finally closed at 81.97 (provisional) against the greenback, registering a gain of 5 paise over its previous close. During the session, the rupee touched a high of 81.78 and a low of 81.98 against the dollar. On Thursday, the rupee closed at 82.02 against the US currency. On April 7, equity and forex markets were closed on account of Good Friday. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.02 per cent to 102.06. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures advanced 0.05 per cent to $85.16 per barrel. According to Anuj Choudhary - research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, a below-normal monsoon forecast by Skymet and a strong dollar in early Asian t

[ad_1] Stock Market India: Sensex, Nifty open in the red Indian equity benchmarks extended losses for the second straight session on Thursday as rising Covid cases in China alarmed investors who had anticipated the world's second-largest economy to pick up steam following the easing of strict restrictions.  After closing marginally lower in the previous session, the BSE Sensex index fell 300.33 points to 60,609.95 in early trade on Thursday, and the broader NSE Nifty index opened in the red, reflecting a fall in wider Asian share markets along with oil prices. As traders try to settle their futures and options (F&)) contracts for the December derivatives, the last series of 2022, the expiry on Thursday could cause a spike in volatility. "Markets are likely to see a bearish opening on Thursday in view of weak global cues after US markets slumped overnight amidst rising bond yields over fears that inflation could pick up on China's reopening," said Prashanth Ta

[ad_1] KARACHI/PESHAWAR: When the military was called on to help defend the ailing rupee, licenced foreign exchange traders cheered while their black market rivals in the bazaars of Peshawar, Karachi and other cities shuttered their shops before they got taken away. The campaign against the informal market has worked. Tens of millions of dollars have poured back into interbank and open markets, dealers say, since raids on black market operators began on September 6. The rupee, which plumbed record lows on September 5, recovered to below 300 per US dollar on the open market earlier this week, rallying more than 10% from levels prevailing before the clamp down to stand even stronger than the official rate. While there have been other attempts to curb the black market when the rupee has been under stress, the latest push came after licenced dealers requested army chief General Asim Munir take action, rather than leave it solely to the civilian caretaker government. Called to I

[ad_1] Rupee gains strength in closing trade. (File) The rupee appreciated 18 paise to close at 81.18 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday on broad dollar weakness. However, weak domestic equities and a surge in crude oil prices capped sharp gains for the local currency, forex traders said. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened strong at 81.24, and settled for the day at 81.18 (provisional), registering a rise of 18 paise over its previous close. During the trading session, the local unit witnessed an intra-day high of 81.09 and a low of 81.28 against the American currency. On Thursday, the rupee closed at 81.36 against the US dollar. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, advanced 0.21 per cent to 102.26. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.48 per cent to USD 86.57 per barrel. According to Anuj Choudhary - Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, the Indian rupee appreciat

[ad_1] KARACHI: The Pakistani currency witnessed a strong rebound as the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s new loan programme defended its value, causing speculators to suffer losses. The rupee gained a significant 3.83%, or Rs10.55, reaching a four-month high at Rs275.44 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Tuesday. In the open market, the currency also experienced a jump of 3.57%, or Rs10, reaching Rs280 against the greenback. However, the closing price was significantly lower compared to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s claim of Rs270-272 against the dollar in the retail market just a day ago, despite the market largely being closed during the day. Furthermore, Pakistan’s global Eurobond continued its astonishing rally for the third consecutive working day, while gold prices further decreased following the signing of the staff-level agreement (SLA) between Pakistan and the IMF for a new nine-month loan programme worth $3 billion. Tuesday marked the first tradin