Tag: USD

  • Rupee resumes downward trend against US dollar

    Rupee resumes downward trend against US dollar

    Pakistani rupee suffered a marginal loss of Rs0.50 against the US dollar in the interbank market, extending its losses for a second straight session.

    State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reports that the local currency lost Rs0.50 against the dollar in the interbank market and ended the day at Rs218.38.

    The Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP) said that banks were trading US dollars for Rs218.78 at the time. The exchange rate for the dollar in the open market was between Rs220 and Rs222.

    This is the second time, the rupee has registered a loss in its value after Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s return to office. The local currency appreciated by almost Rs22, or 10.1 per cent, against the greenback in the last 13 sessions.

    Earlier, Federal Minister For Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar vowed to bring back Pakistani rupee at its original value which is less than 200 against US dollar. “I can genuinely prove that dollar’s actual value is below Rs200,” he added.

  • Pakistani rupee finally snaps 13-day winning streak versus US dollar

    Pakistani rupee finally snaps 13-day winning streak versus US dollar

    The Pakistani rupee (PKR) on Wednesday finally stopped rising against the US dollar after 13 sessions as it dropped by 0.04 per cent in the inter-bank market.

    It dropped nine paisas in today’s interbank market to settle at Rs217.88, depreciating by 0.04 per cent against the USD. During today’s open market session, the local currency was quoted at a day low of Rs217.65 against the US dollar.

    The recent increase in the value of the rupee is linked to a change in sentiment and the central bank’s operations against participants in currency speculation.

    On Wednesday, as traders prepared for US inflation data and its implications for future Federal Reserve rate hikes, the dollar reached new 24-year highs internationally.

    After the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that Pakistan’s inflation rate will be 19.9 per cent in 2023 as opposed to 12.1 per cent in 2022, the rupee halted its 13-day winning run.

    The lender predicted Pakistan’s GDP growth rate would be 3.5 per cent in 2023 compared to 6 per cent in 2022, however this does not take the current floods into account.

    Wednesday also saw a global decline in oil prices for the third day in a straight as investors feared the impact of increasing COVID-19 regulations in China and mounting global economic threats on fuel demand.

  • Pakistani rupee gains Rs2 to close at Rs221.94

    Pakistani rupee gains Rs2 to close at Rs221.94

    On Thursday, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) strengthened by Rs2 or 0.90 per cent against the dollar to close at Rs221.94.

    According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FPA), the local currency was trading at Rs221.75 per $1 at 9:46 am, up 0.98 per cent from yesterday’s close of Rs223.94.

    The rupee has been strengthening since September 22, when it nearly hit an all-time low of Rs239.71. In the last nine sessions, it has increased by Rs15.77 or 6.58 per cent.

    The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) and finance ministry’s joint investigation into banks making obscene profits from their dollar sales, according to Mettis Global Director Saad bin Naseer, has calmed the interbank market.

    SBP On Tuesday, Governor Jameel Ahmad told a National Assembly committee that eight banks were under investigation for the initial round of currency rate manipulation. In the following stage, the other banks would be looked into.

    He said that a smaller trade deficit in September and the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) pledge of approximately $2.3–2.5 billion in aid were the key reasons for the rupee’s recovery on the open market.

    FAP Chairman Malik Bostan listed the ADB announcement and hopes of a sustained drop in imports as the factors that contributed to the rupee’s rise.

  • 8 prominent banks under investigation for involvement in exchange rate manipulation: SBP

    8 prominent banks under investigation for involvement in exchange rate manipulation: SBP

    On Tuesday, Jameel Ahmad, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue that inquiries had been initiated against eight banks for their alleged involvement in exchange rate manipulation.

    According to Ahmad, the first part of the investigation focused on Bank Al Habib, Habib Bank Limited (HBL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Meezan Bank Limited, United Bank Limited (UBL), Allied Bank Limited (ABL), and Standard Chartered. The name of eighth bank was not disclosed.

    He told the tribunal that ABL, NBP, and Standard Chartered had each received show-cause warnings. The governor continued by saying that in the following stage, the other banks will be looked into.

    The committee’s chairman, MNA Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh, gave SBP instructions to take the proper action against all banks and exchange firms implicated in the manipulation of the currency rate during today’s meeting.

    According to a news release from the National Assembly Secretariat, he requested that the central bank assess the severity of the violations by both parties and take the necessary action to ensure that nobody “has the audacity to play with the economy of the country.”

    According to Dawn, the committee believed that the banks made enormous profits during the recent volatility in the exchange rate and the differential between the interbank rate and the rate provided by exchange providers.

    Ahmad has told the committee that after the investigation is complete, anyone who violated the rules will be punished.

    Members of the Committee, the Secretary of Finance, the Chairman of the FBR, the Governor of the State Bank, and other senior executives from the relevant agencies attended the meeting of the Committee.

    Prior to this, Dawn claimed that banks had quadrupled their purchases of US money and were using credit cards to move it outside as the government struggled to stop dollar withdrawals.

    In a media interview the next week, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar declared that manipulating the exchange rate would not be permitted.

    Dar stated that the rupee is now not in the proper position and added that he was aware of some speculators who were playing this game and advised them to quit right away.

  • Pakistani rupee loses Rs2.01 against dollar to close at Rs216.66

    Pakistani rupee loses Rs2.01 against dollar to close at Rs216.66

    On Monday, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) remained under pressure to start the week, falling Rs2.01, or 0.93 per cent, versus the US dollar in the interbank market.

    The local currency dropped from Friday’s closing rate of Rs214.65 to Monday’s closing rate of Rs216.66 per dollar, according to the State Bank of Pakistan.

    The dollar fluctuated between Rs213-214 during the previous week. It ended at Rs214.65 on Friday after ending at Rs213.98 on Monday. Last week, the rupee lost 0.31 per cent of its value against the dollar.

    The KSE 100-index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), on the other hand, experienced a bearish trend on Monday, shedding 443.99 points, or 1.03 per cent, and finishing at 42,826.66 points as opposed to 43,270.65 points on the last working day.

    When compared to the previous trading day, when 306,208,580 shares were traded, a total of 194,667,559 shares were traded on Monday (today). The price of the shares was Rs5.331 billion as opposed to Rs6.393 billion on Friday.

  • Pakistani rupee gains Rs2.13 to close at Rs221.91

    Pakistani rupee gains Rs2.13 to close at Rs221.91

    In line with improved market sentiment, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) kept strengthening versus the US dollar, closing at Rs221.91 on Wednesday in the inter-bank market.

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the local currency appreciated by 0.96 per cent or Rs2.13 against the dollar to settle at Rs221.91.

    The uptick on Wednesday marked the seventh straight rebound for the currency, which last month touched an all-time low of Rs239.94 against the US dollar. Since then, it has increased by almost 8 per cent.

    Pakistani rupee significantly increased last week, rising 6.8 per cent to settle at Rs224.04 in the interbank market.

    The rupee maintained its strength throughout the week as Pakistan reported a smaller trade deficit and a significantly lower import bill in July, relieving pressure on the currency that had previously been battered by the dollar.

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also stated that the board meeting is tentatively scheduled for late August once adequate financing assurances are confirmed.

    An official source in Abu Dhabi later emphasised in a public statement the UAE’s plan to invest $1 billion in Pakistani businesses across a range of economic and investment sectors, bringing Pakistan one step closer to closing what the IMF refers to as a financial gap.

    Market analysts anticipate significant growth in the upcoming days, assuming Pakistan manages to arrange its finance requirements.

  • Petroleum prices may increase by Rs28.44 on Monday

    Petroleum prices may increase by Rs28.44 on Monday

    The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has calculated a price increase for petroleum products of up to Rs28.44 per litre that could go into effect on August 1.

    According to regulatory agency sources, the estimated ex-depot price of gasoline may increase by Rs6.53, high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs28.44, kerosene oil (SKO) by Rs11.02, and light diesel oil (LDO) by Rs5.64 per litre based on the current rate of petroleum levy (PL).

    On Saturday (today), the Finance Division will move a summary calling for an increase in gasoline prices of up to approximately 11 per cent beginning August 1. The prime minister will, as usual, make the final choice in this matter.

    The cost of gasoline and HSD will also increase if the government decides to include the Rs7 per litre petroleum dealer’s per centage in the pricing structure. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had earlier that day approved the petroleum dealers’ increased margin.

    The Petroleum Division had given the dealers assurances that the government would implement the margin as of August 1, 2022.

    According to these projected prices, the price of gasoline would increase from Rs230.24 to Rs236.77 per litre, the price of HSD from Rs236.00 to Rs264.44 per litre, the price of SKO from Rs196.45 to Rs207.47 per litre, and the price of LDO from Rs191.68 to Rs197.32 per litre.

    Presently, the PL on gasoline is Rs10 per litre, the PL on HSD, SKO, and LDO are each Rs5, and there is no sales tax.

    In order to reach the budgetary goal of Rs750 billion set in the Finance Bill 2022–23, the National Assembly has approved a rise in the maximum limit of PL from Rs30 per litre to Rs50 per litre.

    Read more: Petrol, diesel prices may increase by Rs10-17 per litre

    However, sources in the Petroleum Division believed that, at the current rate, the government was unlikely to collect Rs750 billion from PL in the current fiscal year, as that would only amount to a maximum of Rs14 billion per month.

    In addition, if the 17.5 per cent general sales tax (GST) is not imposed on these goods, a revenue shortfall of Rs45 billion per month is likely.

  • One Euro is equal to one US dollar for the first time in 20 years

    One Euro is equal to one US dollar for the first time in 20 years

    The euro reached its lowest level in more than 20 years by 10:00 GMT on Tuesday, falling to $1.

    The stock markets declined as a result of the euro’s parity with the dollar and the possibility of additional central bank tightening as well as concerns over the global economy’s stability.

    Recent weeks have seen the US dollar soar to two-decade highs against a variety of other currencies, strengthening its position as the preferred currency for investors concerned about the economic outlook.

    A continuing rise in natural gas prices’ impact on the local economy as well as the conflict in Ukraine have made the euro particularly vulnerable. The European Central Bank has lagged behind competitors in increasing interest rates.

    The move towards parity, according to Mizuho analysts, is taking place as “the downturn in the eurozone is priced in,” and the overall environment does not appear to be improving risk sentiment.

    For the European Union, this is a “catastrophe,” according to SG Futures, as energy imports may become more expensive.

    “Energy supply is already unaffordable and as we head into winter it’ll likely get even worse,” it added on a tweet.

    The dollar index has been moving higher as a result of the euro’s weakness, as well as concerns about global economic growth as China, in particular, enforces strict zero-COVID policies to control new outbreaks.

    The presumption that the Federal Reserve will raise rates faster and further than peers is, however, arguably the main reason for the dollar’s increase.

  • Gold surges to Rs147,250 per tola in local market

    Gold surges to Rs147,250 per tola in local market

    On Monday, gold prices in the local market rose by Rs1,450 per tola to a new all-time high, pushed up by the Pakistani currency’s continued depreciation against the US dollar.

    Despite no change in gold rates in the international market, gold rates in the local market increased to Rs147,250 per tola, according to data released by the All Sindh Saraf Jewelers Association. Similarly, the price of a gramme of gold increased by Rs1,243 to Rs126,243.

    However, gold prices on the international market remained unchanged at $1,840 per ounce.

    The price of silver per tola remained unchanged at Rs1,560. The price of a gramme of silver also remained unchanged at Rs1,337.44. When compared to rates in the Dubai gold market, local jewellers said prices in the local market remained below Rs3,000 per tola.

    Pakistani rupee dips to new lows

    Experts predict that the Pakistan rupee will continue to fall against the US dollar and other major currencies owing to concerns regarding the IMF’s $6 billion program’s restoration, the country’s expanding current account deficit, and dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

    The PKR which lost 32.5 per cent of its value in the current financial year 2021-22 is forecasted to remain under stress as the dollar is in high demand in the market due to economic crises.

    The central bank appears helpless to stem the rupee’s speculative fall, as demand for the US dollar continues to rise due to quarter-end payment strain.

  • Pakistani rupee falls to a new all-time low of Rs205 against the US dollar

    Pakistani rupee falls to a new all-time low of Rs205 against the US dollar

    In the interbank market today, the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) plummeted below its previous record low versus the US Dollar (USD).

    The local currency lost Rs1.30 in the interbank market today, depreciating by 0.63 per cent against the US dollar and closing at Rs205.16. During today’s open market session, the local currency reached an intraday high of Rs203.75 versus the US dollar.

    The PKR was trading between Rs206 to Rs208 against the US dollar in the evening. The rupee’s devaluation was in line with market expectations, with traders expecting the local currency to fall even lower if Pakistan fails to persuade the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on its fiscal year 2022-23 budget.

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Berlin, which starts today, is another reason that is likely to have influenced the FX market. On the 15th and 16th of June, issues concerning Pakistan will be discussed.

    In today’s interbank market, the PKR reversed gains versus the majority of major currencies. It fell 22 paisas against the Canadian dollar (CAD), 34 paisas against the Saudi riyal (SAR), 35 paisas against the UAE dirham (AED), 62 paisas against the British pound sterling (GBP), and Rs1.25 versus the Euro (EUR).