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Markets

Rupee records gain against US dollar

  • Settles at 276.75
Published Updated

The Pakistani rupee continued its marginal gain against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Friday.

The local unit closed the day at 276.75, a gain of Re0.01 against the greenback.

On Thursday, the rupee had closed at 276.76 against the dollar.

Globally, the yen was steady on Friday ahead of the Bank ​of Japan’s policy decision, while the dollar tracked Treasury yields lower as a fresh wave of selling in ‌AI shares triggered a flight to safety.

The BOJ is set to keep interest rates on hold at 1.25% in a widely anticipated move despite elevated inflation pressures, with a hawkish tone expected and markets pricing in about an 80% chance of a December hike.

The yen weakened a touch on the day to ​around 157.815 per dollar and was on track for a 0.2% decline this month against the dollar.

The dollar index, which measures the US currency against a basket of peers, was a shade ​weaker at 101.77. It was set ​for a 0.3% gain this ⁠month, marking a second straight monthly rise.

The greenback is largely weighed by a dip in US Treasury yields as safe-haven assets attract new bids.

The ⁠yield on the benchmark US 10-year Treasury note was last 4.8958% and that on the 30-year bond fell to 5.2623%, both at their lowest in over a month.

Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, rose on Friday — set for a fourth monthly gain — as an attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz highlighted the continuing supply risks from the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has entered its eighth month.

Brent crude futures for December, which expire on Friday, advanced $1.20, or 1.04%, to $116.08 a barrel as of 0323 GMT.

The more-active January contract gained $1.39 to $112.19.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed$1.37, or 1.34%, to $103.37.

For the month, Brent was on course to finish nearly 11% higher, while WTI was heading for a 14% jump.