Business

Gold scales to new peak of Rs164,000 per tola in Pakistan

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Gold price is climbing high in line with depreciation of rupee.
Precious commodity is expected to maintain uptrend.
Silver prices remain unchanged in local market.

Gold price rose to a fresh record high of Rs164,000 per tola on Monday with investors scurrying for a safe haven after a softening currency and bleak economic data underlined the shaky pace of growth.

Data released by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) showed the price of gold surged by Rs700 per tola and Rs601 per 10 grams to settle at Rs164,000 and Rs140,604.

Last week, the yellow metal touched a record high of Rs163,500 per tola in the local market as the stability of the Pakistan rupee against the US dollar shifted investors’ focus towards a safe-haven asset.

Cumulatively, the price of gold surged by Rs3,750, or 2.35%, per tola during the week ended December 3, 2022.

Gold price is climbing high in the local bullion market in line with the prices in the international market and the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.

The precious commodity is expected to maintain an uptrend as international prices are once again eyeing a $1,800 mark while there is “no hope of stability in local currency” till the country receives funds from friendly countries and clears the ninth review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The association, however, stated that although gold hit an all-time high in Pakistan, its price still stood below cost. Gold is cheaper by Rs2,000 per tola compared to its price in Dubai.

The latest price for local markets was determined to keep in view the prices at which trades took place among buyers and sellers.

However, gold dealers lamented that their businesses are suffering because of a lack of purchasing power despite the wedding season.

In the international market, the price of the yellow metal pulled back slightly from a five-month high on Monday as the US dollar recouped some losses, although the metal still held near the key $1,800 level, buoyed by news of top bullion consumer China relaxing its stringent COVID-19 restrictions.

Gold price registered a meagre decline of $4 per ounce settling at $1,794.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market remained unchanged at Rs1,780 per tola and Rs1,526.06 per 10 grams.

Business

Pakistan’s gold prices are still declining; see the most recent

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

The price of 10-gram gold reduced by Rs943 to settle at Rs207,733, while the price of gold dropped by Rs1200 to close at Rs242,300 a tola, according to the Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

In the global market, the price of the precious metal fell by $10 to $2,349 per ounce, resulting in losses.

At 04:48 GMT, the spot price of gold had dropped by 0.2% to $2,354.77 per ounce. In the previous session, prices reached a two-week high.

American gold futures dropped 0.6% to $2,361.

Spot silver decreased by 0.4% to $28.03 per ounce, while palladium remained steady at $978.03 and platinum decreased by 0.1% to $992.89.

Business

Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

Pakistan is requesting a $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the international lender over the next three to four years to address its financial troubles.

A mission team led by Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief in Pakistan, is meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Islamabad may face more difficult options, such as raising power and gas bills.

Mr. Aurganzeb informed the IMF team that the country’s economy has improved as a result of the IMF loan package, and Islamabad is ready to sign a new loan programme to further develop.

The IMF mission expressed satisfaction with Islamabad’s efforts to revive the country’s struggling economy.

The IMF praised Pakistan’s economic growth in its staff report earlier this week, but warned that the outlook remains challenging, with very high downside risks.

The country nearly avoided collapse last summer, and its $350 billion economy has stabilized since the end of the last IMF program, with inflation falling to roughly 17% in April from a record high of 38% last May.

Business

Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

According to sources, the government is set to decrease petrol prices by Rs 14 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 10 on May 16 for the next fortnight’s revision.

Last month, the government reduced the price of fuel and high-speed diesel by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 per fortnight, respectively.

The current fuel price is Rs288.49 per litre, while the HSD price is Rs281.96.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell further on Monday, as signs of sluggish fuel consumption and comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials dimmed optimism for interest rate reduction, which may slow growth and reduce fuel demand in the world’s largest economy.

Brent crude prices down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.07 per barrel.

Oil prices also declined on signals of poor demand, according to ANZ analysts, as gasoline and distillate inventories in the United States increased in the week before the start of the driving season.

Refiners throughout the world are dealing with falling diesel profitability as new refineries increase supply and warm weather in the northern hemisphere and weak economic activity reduce demand.