Business

Gold price rises in Pakistan; silver hits all-time high

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Gold prices increase in world markets as dollar trims gains.
Trend to take cue on central bank’s monetary stance, inflation.
Silver in local market touches all-time high of Rs2,350 per tola.

Gold prices in Pakistan rose on Monday, tracking global trends and a possible push from a retreating rupee that consequently turns dollar-quoted safe-haven metal pricier, forcing traders to err on the side of caution on the eve of monetary policy meeting.

According to the data released by All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of gold (24 carats) rose by Rs1,200 per tola and Rs1,028 per 10 grams to settle at Rs209,500 and Rs164,645 respectively.

Rupee depreciated 0.44% against the dollar in the inter-bank market on Monday. As per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the rupee settled at 285.04, a loss of Rs1.25.

The State Bank of Pakistan is expected to raise the policy rate by 100-200 basis points as inflation is spiralling out of control. Consumer price inflation in Pakistan jumped to a record 35.37% in March from a year earlier.

Gold is often hailed as a hedge against inflation—increasing in value as the purchasing power of the dollar declines.

Pakistan’s monthly inflation blew past forecasts in March and soared to a nearly all-time high level — 35.4% — from a year earlier, with people feeling more pain from some of the fastest rising consumer prices amid straining budgets as cost of living continues to outstrip average incomes.

Last month, the central bank hiked the policy rate by 300 basis points to 20%.

World gold prices bounced back on Monday as the dollar trimmed its initial gains that were driven by bets that OPEC’s surprise output cuts could jack up global energy prices and force central banks to hike interest rates.

Spot gold rose 0.5% to $1,977.43 per ounce by 1206 GMT. U.S. gold futures gained 0.4% to $1,994.50.

Earlier in the session, gold touched a one-week low of $1,949.54.

While gold is traditionally considered a hedge against inflation, increasing the interest rates to rein in rising price pressures dims the appeal of the asset since it pays no interest.

Silver prices in the domestic market rose by Rs80 per tola and Rs68.59 per 10 grams to settle at their all-time highs of Rs2,350 and Rs2,014.47, respectively.

International prices of silver fell 0.3% to $24.01 per ounce, platinum was also down 0.3% to $988.60 while palladium rose 0.7% to $1,470.72.

Business

China Contributes 43 New Foreign Firms to the 6% Growth in SECP Registrations

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has registered 2,617 new firms this year, a 6% increase from 2023, with assistance from the Special Investment Facilitation Council. This increases the overall number of businesses that are registered to 231,111.

Non-profits, trade associations, and public unlisted firms make up 4% of these, while private limited corporations make up 55% and single-member companies 41%. It is noteworthy that 99.8% of the registrations were done online, demonstrating SECP’s attempts to digitise.

Real estate has 237 new businesses, services has 306, and trade has 377 new businesses. These are the main sectors exhibiting growth. While the healthcare and textile industries each had 49 new businesses, the education sector saw 101.

China contributed the most, adding 43 new companies, out of the 61 new companies that were registered as a result of foreign investment.

These recently registered businesses are anticipated to decrease imports, increase domestic production, and contribute to closing the trade deficit.

Business

PSX reaches an all-time high as the KSE-100 Index surpasses 86,000 points.

Published

12 hours ago

Farwa

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has achieved a significant milestone, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index has attained an unprecedented peak.

On Tuesday at midday, the index ascended by 788 points, attaining a record high of 86,846 points. Following the ratification of the constitutional amendments, the stock market has increased by 1500 points over a span of two days.

Earlier today, the KSE-100 Index increased by 683 points, attaining a value of 86,741 points, before concluding at this new apex.

The bullish trend was apparent from the commencement of the trading session, with the index rising an additional 555 points to reach 86,612 points throughout the day. The reinstatement of the 86,500-point threshold signifies robust market performance.

Business

In three months, Pakistan’s IT exports increased by 33.54 percent.

Published

12 hours ago

Farwa

During the first three months of FY 2024-25 (July to September), Pakistan’s IT export remittances hit US$ 876 million, a notable 33.54 percent rise from US$ 656 million during the same period previous year (FY 2023-24).

In a statement, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that the amount of money sent home by the export of ICT services was US$ 292 million in September 2024, a 41.7% increase from US$ 206 million in the same month the previous year.

She stated that efforts to make it easier for businesses to conduct business in the nation are the reason why IT exports are rising and that actions are being taken to increase them.

In response to the Prime Minister’s directions, Shaza Fatima stated that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, the Pakistan Software Export Board, and the IT industry are dedicated to boosting IT exports with the full assistance of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

A trade surplus of US$ 764 million was recorded by the IT & ITeS sector in the first three months of FY 2024–25, accounting for 87.21 percent of all ICT export remittances.

Over the same period last year, this surplus represents a 36.67 percent gain over US$ 559 million. The services industry as a whole, however, experienced a trade deficit of US$ 699 million during this period.

The largest of all service sectors, ICT export remittances from July to September 2024, were US$ 656 million, followed by “other business services” at US$ 374 million.