Rupee registers slight improvement against US dollar

The Pakistani rupee recorded marginal gain against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Thursday.

At close, the local currency settled at 280.05, a gain of Re0.01 against the greenback.

On Wednesday, the local unit closed at 280.06.

Internationally, the US dollar was calm on Thursday as investors weighed a slew of data that showed the US economy was in a delicate position ahead of a crucial jobs report on Friday, with rising geopolitical tensions keeping sentiment in check.

The euro was steady at $1.1678 in early Asian hours, on course for a small weekly drop, while sterling bought $1.34605.

The yen was flat at 156.78 per US dollar as traders remained reluctant to place major bets.

The Australian dollar fetched $0.6721, just below the 15-month high it touched earlier this week, while the New Zealand dollar was little changed at $0.5769.

Data on Thursday showed the US labour market appeared stuck in a “no hire, no fire” state, with job openings falling more than expected in November while hiring eased.

The services sector’s activity, though unexpectedly picking up in December, suggests the economy ended 2025 on a solid footing. The spotlight will now be on the closely watched nonfarm payrolls report, due on Friday.

Traders are pricing in at least two rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year, although a divided central bank indicated in December just one more cut for 2026. Markets broadly expect the Fed to stand pat on rates in January.

The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six rivals, was steady at 98.737 and set for a small gain for the week.

Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, rose on Thursday after two days of declines as investors assessed Venezuela developments and reports on the progress of proposed U.S. sanctions legislation against countries doing business with

Russia.

Brent crude futures were up $1.21, or 2%, at $61.17 a barrel by 1417 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.10, or nearly 2%, to $57.09.

Inter-bank market rates for dollar on Thursday

BID Rs 280.05

OFFER Rs 280.25

Open-market movement

In the open market, the PKR remained unchanged for both buying and selling against USD, closing at 280.43 and 281.10, respectively.

Against Euro, the PKR gained 18.00 paisa for buying and 34.00 paisa for selling, closing at 327.28 and 330.29, respectively.

Against UAE Dirham, the PKR lost 2.00 paisa for buying and gained 1.00 paisa for selling, closing at 76.49 and 77.24, respectively.

Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR lost 1.00 paisa for buying and gained 2.00 paisa for selling, closing at 74.81 and 75.39, respectively.

Open-market rates for dollar on Thursday

BID Rs 280.43

OFFER Rs 281.10