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Oil prices fall amid growing concerns over global economy

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Brent futures and US crude falls by more than 4%.Concern about oversupply continue to cloud the oil market.Dollar weakens on Wednesday after big gains in the previous session.


LONDON: Oil fell sharply on Wednesday after slumping in the previous session, weighed down by demand concerns stemming from the state of the global economy and rising COVID cases in China.

Brent futures fell $3.04 to $79.06 a barrel for a 3.7% loss by 1452 GMT. US crude dropped $2.91, or 3.8%, to $74.02.

Both benchmarks plunged more than 4% on Tuesday, with Brent suffering its biggest one-day decline in more than three months.

“Worries about the state of the global economy are front and centre of traders’ minds and will remain so for the foreseeable future,” said PVM Oil analyst Stephen Brennock.

The Chinese government also increased export quotas for refined oil products in the first batch for 2023, signalling expectations of poor domestic demand.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia could cut prices for its flagship Arab Light crude grade to Asia in February, having been set at a 10-month low for this month, as concern about oversupply continued to cloud the market.

The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that much of the global economy would face a tough year in 2023 because the main engines of global growth — the United States, Europe and China — were all experiencing weakening activity.

Monetary policy is also in focus, with the US Federal Reserve having raised interest rates by 50 basis points (bps) in December after four consecutive increases of 75 bps each. If the Fed intensifies its rate hikes, that could slow the economy and hamper fuel consumption.

OPEC oil output rose in December, a Reuters survey found on Wednesday, despite an agreement by the wider OPEC+ alliance to cut production targets to support the market.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pumped 29 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, the survey found, up 120,000 bpd from November.

Lending oil some support, the dollar weakened on Wednesday after posting big gains in the previous session. A weaker dollar typically boosts demand for oil because dollar-denominated commodities become cheaper for buyers holding other currencies.

US crude oil stockpiles are likely to have risen by 2.2 million barrels, with distillate inventories expected to have fallen, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.

Industry group American Petroleum Institute is due to release data on US crude inventories at 4:30pm EDT (2030 GMT) on Wednesday. The Energy Information Administration will release its figures at 10:30am (1430 GMT) on Thursday.

Bank UBS expects Brent prices to rise to $110 a barrel and WTI to rise to $107 in 2023.

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Changes in the US dollar’s value are directly correlated with variations in gold prices.

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The price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan increased by Rs1500 on Thursday, reaching Rs231,000 per tola. This was another jump in the price of gold in the country.

Dealers reported a comparable surge in the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold, which is currently trading at Rs198,045 after rising by Rs1285. In addition, the cost of ten grams of 22-karat gold increased significantly, trading at Rs 181,541.

These fluctuations are strongly correlated with shifts in the US dollar’s value, demonstrating the tight connection between gold prices and exchange rates. This emphasizes how local gold markets are impacted by variables related to the global economy.

At Rs2,580, the price of 24-karat silver remains steady right now. The price of gold increased significantly on a global scale as well, rising by $14 to $2,214 per ounce.

It’s critical to understand that changes in the worldwide market can have a substantial impact on gold prices in Pakistan throughout the day. The gold rates that are offered are obtained from reliable sources, mostly situated in Karachi and Multan.

It is recommended that individuals seek the advice of nearby gold merchants and jewellers for the most precise and current information regarding gold prices.

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Pakistan pledged to finish building the TAPI gas pipeline.

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The minister discussed the importance of the TAPI gas pipeline project for Pakistan’s energy needs during a meeting with Turkmenistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov.

The Minister was congratulated by Ambassador Movlamov on taking office and his commitment to the project was noted.

Dr. Musadik Malik thanked the ambassador for his kind words, acknowledged the support, and promised to maintain the two nations’ friendship. The intergovernmental commission and working group meetings for the project this year were briefed by Atadjan Movlamov.

He invited the Minister to attend the Turkmenistan Energy Forum, which would take place in Paris the following month.

TAPI undertaking
The project is for the construction of a 1,680-kilometer pipeline with a 56-inch diameter that can carry 3.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day (bcfd) from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to the border between Pakistan and India.

According to the terms of the TAPI agreement, Afghanistan would receive its portion of 0.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, while Pakistan and India will each receive 1.325 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

In order to carry out the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, Pakistan and Turkmenistan inked a cooperative implementation plan in Islamabad on June 4.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma’a, were present at the ceremony.

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The price of gold is still rising in Pakistan.

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According to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association, the cost of 10 grams of 24 karat gold grew by Rs. 86 to Rs. 196,760 from Rs. 196,674, while the cost of 10 grams of 22 carat gold jumped to Rs. 180,363 from Rs. 180,284.

The price of silver per tola and ten grams stayed at Rs. 2,211.93 and Rs. 2,580, respectively.

According to the Association, the price of gold on the global market rose by $7 to $2,200 from $.2,193.

It is important to note that Pakistani and IMF personnel have agreed at the staff level on the second and final review conducted as part of Pakistan’s Stand-By arrangement.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan have reached a staff-level agreement on the second and final review of Pakistan’s stabilization program, which is supported by the IMF’s US$3 billion (SDR2,250 million) SBA Agreement. This is according to the official statement released by a team led by Nathan Porter.

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