Cumulatively, it gains Rs3,800 per tola in last three sessions.
Bargain hunters take advantage of recent losses.
Gold prices extended gains on Tuesday near a one-week peak hit in the last week, buoyed by a weaker rupee, while investors looked forward to economic developments that could influence the market direction.
Data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) showed that the price of gold (24 carats) increased by Rs500 per tola and Rs429 per 10 grams to settle at Rs197,000 and Rs168,896, respectively.
The Pakistani rupee lost 0.24% against the US dollar in the interbank market settling at 262.51, which boosted the precious commodity’s appeal.
The bargain hunters took advantage of recent losses, but the precious metal’s outlook was still clouded by prospects of further recovery of the rupee against the greenback as optimism regarding the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme can boost the currency market’s sentiment.
Cumulatively, the yellow metal gained Rs3,800 per tola during the last three sessions.
Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market rose by Rs20 per tola and Rs17.14 per 10 grams to settle at Rs2,150 per tola and Rs1,843.27 per 10 grams, respectively.
In the international market, gold price fell by $12 per ounce to settle at $1,832 on a rise in the dollar while investors awaited US economic data to gauge the Federal Reserve’s interest rate strategy.
The dollar index hovered around its highest in six weeks, making dollar-priced gold more expensive for buyers holding other currencies.
“Gold’s primary driver remains the shifting expectations surrounding the Fed’s next policy moves, with perhaps more clues to be found within the upcoming FOMC minutes release,” said Han Tan, chief market analyst at Exinity.
“Should the US economy continue defying the Fed’s rate hikes, that could invite a higher peak for US rates, much to the chagrin of bullion bulls.”
The focus this week will be on the release of the Federal Open Market Committee’s January meeting minutes on Wednesday, followed by US gross domestic product data on Thursday and Friday’s core PCE price index.
Gold prices hit their highest since April 2022 early this month at $1,959.60, but have since lost around $130 after US data showed signs of a resilient economy.
In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.
The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.
In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.
Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.
The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.
In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.
According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.
His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.
At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.
Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.
With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.
On December 2, core inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) significantly slowed, falling to 4.9% in November 2024 from 7.2 percent in October 2024.
The CPI-based inflation rate for the same month last year (November 2023) was 29.2%, according to PBS data.
Compared to a 1.2% gain in the prior month, it increased by 0.5% month over month in November 2024.