Tag: US dollar

  • Bitcoin surrenders weekend gains, slides 5 per cent

    Bitcoin surrenders weekend gains, slides 5 per cent

    Cryptocurrencies continued their steady decline on May 16, surrendering the gains made over the weekend as regulators loomed.

    European authorities have reinforced their warnings about the vulnerabilities of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin slumped 5 per cent to roughly $29,700 in Asian trade on Monday, falling alongside markets amid concerns about burgeoning inflation and borrowing costs.

    As the catastrophic collapse of TerraUSD, a so-called stablecoin, has roiled crypto markets already plunging amid widespread selling of risky assets, the world’s largest cryptocurrency has lost almost a fifth of its value so far this month.

    Read more: Pakistani rupee crashes to historic low of Rs194 against US dollar

    Stablecoins are vulnerable to investor runs, according to the US Federal Reserve, because they are underpinned by commodities that could depreciate or become worthless in adverse economic conditions.

  • Pakistani rupee crashes to historic low of Rs194 against US dollar

    Pakistani rupee crashes to historic low of Rs194 against US dollar

    During the trading session on Monday, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) maintained its declining trend, touching Rs194, its worst rate versus the US dollar. At the interbank, the greenback strengthened by Rs1.47 during the trading hours.

    The General Secretary of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, Zafar Paracha said that the greenback climbed by Rs11.07 since the new government took government, while debt has increased by Rs1,400 billion due to the disparity.

    Pakistani currency lost 3.1 per cent of its value against the US dollar in the previous week in the interbank market, with Pakistan’s currency hitting new record lows to end the week at Rs192.53, its worst closing in history.

    Read more: Pakistani Rupee crashes to a record low against US dollar 

    The local currency fell in value across the board as concerns about the economy, declining foreign currency reserves, and worsening trade imbalance intensified. Concerns over the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme have also caused fear and speculation in the market.

  • US Dollar continues to slide, reaches Rs183

    US Dollar continues to slide, reaches Rs183

    The US Dollar fell by Rs1.43 shortly after the interbank market opened, and is now being traded at Rs183.25.

    Following days of depreciation, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) rebounded against the US dollar in the interbank market on April 11, signaling that the currency value is stabilizing.

    On Friday, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) index KSE-100 reversed course and experienced an uptrend, adding 657.75 points, or 1.50 per cent, to close at 44,444.58 points, up from 43,786.83 points the previous working day.

    The KSE-100 index began on Monday morning to strong investor optimism, following a historic weekend in which Imran Khan became the first prime minister in Pakistan’s history to be removed by a vote of no confidence, putting an end to the country’s ongoing political crisis.

    According to foreign currency dealers, the greenback is now selling at Rs183.20, after weakening Rs1.83 versus the PKR in early trade.

  • PKR closed at 184.09 against USD, the lowest level in history

    PKR closed at 184.09 against USD, the lowest level in history

    A substantial decline in foreign exchange reserves, persistent political instability, and hefty petroleum costs dragged Pakistan’s currency (PKR) to new lows on Friday, with the rupee closing over the 184 level for the first time against the US dollar following a 0.33 per cent drop in the interbank market. 

    After a day-on-day devaluation of 61 paisas, the PKR closed at 184.09, its lowest level recorded, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    Since its most recent peak in May of last year, the PKR has lost over 17 per cent, while the local currency has devalued by over 14 per cent in the fiscal year to date (FYTD).

    The last time the PKR rose versus the US dollar (during its most recent weakening run) was on March 11. It has dropped in 13 sessions since that while staying stable in the remaining.

    Moreover, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) reserves also fell by $2.915 billion, to $12.05 billion, according to figures issued by the central bank on Thursday.

  • Car prices in Pakistan expected to increase by 15 per cent

    Three prominent automakers in Pakistan including Suzuki, Honda, and Hyundai are expected to announce a price hike within two weeks, due to the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar and rising prices of imported raw materials.

    Analysts expect car prices to increase by up to 15 per cent. It is worth noting that Pak Suzuki and Kia Lucky Motors have already announced a price hike for their vehicles.

    Experts predict that more auto assemblers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) are expected to jump on the price hike bandwagon.

    Considering the imminent price hike, Suzuki Bolan may witness an increase of Rs. 172,000 in its current price of Rs. 1.17 million, which will cost Rs. 1.35 million after the hike.

    The all-new Honda Civic Vti Oriel 2022 which costs Rs. 5.4 million is expected to be priced at Rs. 6.2 million after a massive increase of Rs. 810,000 in its current price.

    Hyundai’s only sedan, the 2.0 Hyundai Elantra GLS after getting the expected hike will cost Rs. 5.1 million as compared to its current price of Rs. 4.4 million.

    Read more: ‘Hamaray paas paisa ziada aya hai’: PM Khan reveals reason for slashing petrol, diesel prices

    Rising inflation and hefty petrol prices have immensely impacted the lives of people, as it has forced several car owners to switch to a two-wheeler for daily commuting.

  • ‘Third-best currency’: Rupee continues to gain ground against US Dollar

    ‘Third-best currency’: Rupee continues to gain ground against US Dollar

    Since October, the Pakistani Rupee has continued to gain ground against the US Dollar, becoming the third best-performing currency of the Asian continent.

    After a month-long depreciation against the rupee, the US dollar is being sold at 158.69 in the interbank market as of Nov 10. Only South Korean and Indonesian currencies have performed better than the PKR that has seen 3.1% appreciation over the past four weeks.

    Pakistani Rupee against US Dollar. Xe.com

    Following a deal with the International Monetary Foundation (IMF) by the Imran-led government in May 2019, the PKR had taken a nosedive against USD. It was being sold at 110 in April 2018, and by July 2020, 1USD was equivalent to PKR169. However, since Aug, the dollar has been shedding weight against the PKR and other foreign currencies.

    Money dealers in the market attributed this rally of rupee against the US dollar to encouraging economic indicators as well as the global downfall of the greenback. On the other hand, importers are also being careful in buying goods from their foreign suppliers owing to the second wave of coronavirus, they claimed.

    Forex Association of Pakistan President Malik Bostan quoted by a local media outlet said the dollar will likely to depreciate further amid an increase in exports. He sounded hopeful of the PKR’s appreciation against the USD, saying the strong economic outlook of Pakistan will help boost its foreign exchange reserves.

    He said that Pakistan’s reliance on the dollar may also reduce — that would result in a stronger PKR, as China and Pakistan are now looking to trade in Yuan, the Chinese currency. Pakistan’s biggest import bills come from China.

  • Malaysian PM proposes freeing East Asia of US dollar for trade

    Malaysian PM proposes freeing East Asia of US dollar for trade

    Malaysian prime minister (PM) has said that East Asia should consider a common regional trading currency to promote commerce and free the region from relying on dollar transactions, a private media outlet reported Thursday.

    According to reports, Mahathir Bin Mohamad said the proposed currency could be used for regional trade, but would not replace national currencies for use at the domestic level.

    “In the Far East if you want to come together, we should start with a common trading currency, not to be used locally, but for the purpose of settling of trade,” he was quoted as saying.

    “At the moment, we have to depend upon the United States (US) dollar but it is also not stable. So the currency that we propose should be based on gold as it is much more stable.”

    Mahathir, who is serving his second term in office, has a reputation of being a financial maverick.