• Cumulatively, the yellow metal gained Rs1,350 per tola in the domestic market during the week ended March 12.
• Local prices of gold usually go down on rupee’s appreciation against US dollar.
• Firmer tone to economic data and strengthening currency would undermine support for gold.

KARACHI: Gold price remains unchanged in Pakistan amid stability in the international market and rupee appreciation against the US dollar. 

According to rates issued by the All Sindh Sarafa Association, gold prices clocked in at Rs130,750 per tola and Rs112,097 per 10 grams on Saturday.

Cumulatively, the yellow metal gained Rs1,350 per tola in the domestic market during the week that ended March 12.

The association determines local prices based on rupee-dollar parity and international rates. According to the market practice, local prices of gold usually go down on the rupee’s appreciation against the US dollar and rising prices of commodities in the international market.

A firmer tone to economic data and strengthening currency would undermine support for gold, which has benefited in recent times from the plunge in local currency.

Gold rates in Pakistan are around Rs6,000 below the cost compared to the rate in the Dubai market.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market remained unchanged at Rs1,480 per tola and Rs1,268.86 per 10 grams today.

Gold in global market

In the international market, gold recorded minor gains as a safe-haven appeal for the metal dimmed after Russian President Vladimir Putin said there had been progressing in talks with Ukraine, with the likelihood of a looming US rate hike adding pressure to bullion.

The price of yellow metal slightly rose by $5 to settle at $1,988 per ounce.

“There are certain positive shifts, negotiators on our side tell me,” Putin said in a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, but did not provide any details. 

“The Russia-Ukraine crisis will continue to support the prospect for higher precious metal prices,” said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen in a note, as that could mean higher inflation, slowing growth and fewer central bank-rate hikes.

With US inflation ballooning in February, bets that the central bank will raise its benchmark overnight interest rate by at least 25 basis points on March 16, stood at 94%, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool. 

“(For gold) many positive fundamental factors, like inflation and supply chain disruption still remain… but in the short term, we might have priced a good amount of those into the market,” said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.