Gold rate declines in Pakistan as rupee gains ground

• Gold price settles at Rs193,200 per tola.
• Silver price remains unchanged at Rs2,100 per tola.
•  In international bullion market, gold price decline by $15 per ounce.

Gold retreated in Pakistan on Friday in line with a decline in the international market and the continuous recovery of the rupee against the US dollar.

Data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) showed that the price of gold (24 carats) decreased by Rs2,800 per tola and Rs2,400 per 10 grams to settle at Rs193,200 and Rs165,638, respectively.

A day earlier, the precious commodity saw a dead cat bounce or a temporary recovery after a significant decline in some bargain hunting; however, the price retreated during today’s session.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market remained unchanged at Rs2,100 per tola and Rs1,800.41 per 10 grams, respectively.

In the international market, gold hurtled towards a third straight weekly drop on Friday, dampened by the dollar’s advance following fresh hawkish rhetoric from the US Federal Reserve officials. The price settled at $1,824 per ounce after a decline of $15.

Two Fed officials said on Thursday the US central bank likely should have lifted interest rates more than it did early this month.

Taking cues from the comments, the dollar index surged to a six-week high, making bullion less attractive for overseas buyers, while bond yields also climbed. 

The latest remarks, putting a 50-basis-point rate hike and more than just one other increase back on the table, is benefiting the dollar and weighing on precious metals markets, said Quantitative Commodity Research analyst Peter Fertig.

While there is potential for gold to recover, it appears limited and would depend on how much the central banks increase rates, beyond what the markets have priced in, Fertig added.

Higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding zero-yield bullion.