Tag: Financial Analysis

  • Govt’s bank borrowings jump 3.15x in six months

    Govt’s bank borrowings jump 3.15x in six months

    The government’s reliance on bank borrowings has displayed a concerning upward trajectory, intensifying the nation’s debt burden and raising doubts about its optimistic economic outlook. 

    Recent data for the six months ending December 2023 reveals a substantial increase in borrowing through banks, soaring to Rs3.214 trillion compared to Rs1.019 trillion during the same period last year—an alarming surge of 3.15 times.

    Notably, this surge occurs amid a caretaker government’s administration, signalling that within six months, the government has amassed a level of debt equivalent to the entire fiscal year 2023. 

    While governments commonly borrow from banks to address financial gaps, refinance debts, and fund public projects, the scale of the borrowing indicates a matter of heightened concern.

    Despite the Federal Board of Revenue’s commendable performance in tax collections, with historic achievements of over Rs1 trillion in December and Rs4.468 trillion in 6MFY24, these impressive figures clash with the substantial reliance on bank borrowings.

     Economic apprehensions grow as these borrowing patterns contradict the government’s objective of optimising the allocation and expenditure of public funds.

    The caretaker government’s limited authorisation of Rs300.904 billion for development funds, out of a total allocation of Rs950 billion for ongoing and new social sector uplift projects, contrasts starkly with the escalating borrowing figures, hinting at the possibility of an expanding Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

    Furthermore, this escalating trend in government borrowings raises concerns among economists and financial experts who emphasise the importance of fiscal discipline. 

    The growing debt levels may not only impact the country’s creditworthiness but also strain future budgetary allocations, potentially limiting the government’s capacity to respond to unforeseen economic challenges. 

    As stakeholders closely monitor these developments, there is a pressing need for transparent fiscal policies and strategic measures to ensure a sustainable and resilient economic future for the nation.

  • Gold sees Rs1,800 per tola dip in local market

    Gold sees Rs1,800 per tola dip in local market

    Gold continued its decline for the second consecutive session on Thursday, mirroring the international downtrend.

    In the local market, the price of gold reached Rs218,200 per tola, registering a loss of Rs1,800 during the day.

    According to data from the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), 10-gramme gold was traded at Rs187,071, reflecting a decrease of Rs1,543.

    Notably, Wednesday witnessed a Rs1,300 decrease in gold prices per tola in Pakistan.

    The international gold rate, accompanied by a $15 decline in the global market, stood at $2,067 per ounce on Thursday, with a $20 premium, as reported by APGJSA.

    In a parallel development, silver experienced a modest decline of Rs20, settling at Rs2,660 per tola.

  • Pakistani rupee ends 2023 with marginal gain versus US dollar

    Pakistani rupee ends 2023 with marginal gain versus US dollar

    Pakistani rupee demonstrated a slight appreciation against the US dollar for the 13th consecutive session, marking a gain of 0.02 per cent in the inter-bank market on Friday.

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the day concluded with the rupee settling at Rs281.86, reflecting an increase of Rs0.07.

    Remarkably, this signifies a closure of 2023 with the rupee undergoing a depreciation of 19.7 per cent, originating from its starting point at Rs226.43 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market at the beginning of the year. 

    Notably, on the preceding Thursday, the rupee experienced a marginal upturn, settling at Rs281.93 against the US dollar.

    A significant development unfolded as the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan observed a substantial weekly upswing, surging by $852 million to reach $7.75 billion as of December 22, according to data released on Thursday. 

    The overall liquid foreign reserves for the country tallied at $12.85 billion, with commercial banks holding net foreign reserves amounting to $5.1 billion. The SBP attributed this surge in reserves to official government inflows.

    On the global stage, the US dollar appeared poised to conclude 2023 with a loss, reversing a two-year trend of gains. This shift was influenced by market expectations that the US Federal Reserve might initiate rate easing as early as March of the following year. 

    The greenback remained generally subdued on the last trading day of the year, hovering near a five-month low against a basket of currencies, falling 0.02 per cent to 101.18, following a recent dip to 100.61. 

    This trend underscored the impact of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate-hike cycle initiated in early 2022 on the dollar’s trajectory over the past two years.

  • Gold rate drops by Rs1,900 per tola

    Gold rate drops by Rs1,900 per tola

    On Friday, the gold market in Pakistan halted its previous upward trend, experiencing a decline in tandem with the global decrease in gold prices. 

    As reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price per tola of gold was adjusted to Rs220,900, reflecting a one-day decrease of Rs1,900. 

    The 10-gramme gold rate also saw a reduction, reaching Rs189,386 after a decrease of Rs1,629.

    Contrary to Thursday’s surge of Rs 2,200 per tola, the international gold rate exhibited a setback, settling at $2,090 per ounce on Friday with a $20 premium. This decline of $15 in the global market was noted by the APGJSA.

    In the same period, silver rates remained unchanged at Rs2,680 per tola in the local market.

  • Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar for 11th consecutive session

    Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar for 11th consecutive session

    The Pakistani rupee sustained its upward trajectory against the US dollar for the 11th consecutive session, exhibiting a 0.06 per cent appreciation in the interbank market on Wednesday. 

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the rupee concluded at Rs282.20, reflecting an increment of Re0.17.

    In the preceding session on Tuesday, the rupee had achieved a marginal gain, settling at Rs282.37 in relation to the US dollar. 

    Concurrently, there has been a notable surge of 200 per cent in the cumulative borrowing by the federal and provincial governments for budgetary support from the domestic banking system in the current fiscal year (FY24).

    Internationally, the US dollar encountered continued pressure on Wednesday, while the euro flirted with a four-month pinnacle. 

    This trend emerged as market expectations of an imminent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve gained traction. The restrained week, marked by global holiday absences until the New Year, is anticipated to witness subdued trading volumes.

    The dollar index, gauging the US currency against six counterparts, stood at 101.54, just below the five-month low of 101.42 recorded last week. 

    The index is poised for a 1.9 per cent decline in 2023, following two consecutive years of robust gains driven by the Fed’s rate hikes to combat inflation. 

    The recent weakening of the dollar is attributed to market anticipation of forthcoming rate cuts by the Fed in the coming year, diminishing the allure of the greenback.

  • Gold prices in Pakistan see weekend dip, reflecting global trend

    Gold prices in Pakistan see weekend dip, reflecting global trend

    On Saturday, gold prices in Pakistan experienced a decline, aligning with the global trend.

    The cost of one tola of gold in domestic market dropped by Rs500, settling at Rs219,300. 

    Similarly, the 10-gramme gold rate decreased by Rs429, reaching Rs188,014, as reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

    Contrastingly, the previous day witnessed a surge in gold prices by Rs1,800, concluding at Rs219,800 per tola in Pakistan. 

    The international gold rate, despite a $2 decrease, stood at $2,072 per ounce, maintaining a $20 premium, as indicated by APGJSA.

    In the midst of these fluctuations, silver rates remained unchanged at Rs2,650 per tola.

  • Gold price in Pakistan increases to Rs221,000 per tola

    Gold price in Pakistan increases to Rs221,000 per tola

    The per tola price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan witnessed a rise of Rs2,600, reaching Rs221,000 on Wednesday. This marks an increase from its previous sale at Rs218,400 on the last trading day.

    Similarly, the price of 10 grammes of 24-karat gold experienced an uptick of Rs2,229, settling at Rs189,472 compared to the previous Rs187,243.

    Meanwhile, the cost of 10 grammes of 22-karat gold rose to Rs173,683 from Rs171,640, according to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

    The prices for both per tola and ten-gramme silver remained unchanged at Rs2,620 and Rs2,246.21, respectively.

    In the international market, the price of gold increased by $29, reaching $2,062 from the previous $2,033, as reported by the Association.