Gold climbs on third day as rupee pauses its winning streak

• Gold price settles at Rs197,000 per tola.
• 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.

— Additional input from Reuters