RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee saw marginal improvement against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Monday.

At close, the local currency settled at 280.51, a gain of Re0.01 against the greenback.

During the previous week, the rupee extended its upward momentum, recording a marginal gain against the dollar, appreciating by Re0.10 or 0.04 percent in the inter-bank market. The local unit closed at 280.52, against 280.62 it had closed the week earlier against the greenback, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Pakistan’s headline inflation clocked in at 6.1 percent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis in November 2025, showed Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data on Monday, a reading higher than the Ministry of Finance estimate of 5-6 percent.

The consumer price index (CPI) was recorded at 6.2 percent in October 2025. The CPI stood at 4.9 percent in November 2024.

Internationally, the Japanese yen rose on Monday, helped by comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, who left the door open to a near-term rate hike, while the dollar began the month on the back foot as investors ramped up bets of a US rate cut this month.

Ueda on Monday gave a more upbeat outlook of Japan’s economy and said the central bank will consider the “pros and cons” of raising interest rates at its next policy meeting in December, in what market participants considered a hawkish tone by the governor.

That helped the Japanese currency extend gains, climbing 0.4 percent to a session high of 155.49 per dollar.

In the broader market, the dollar eased as investors braced for a pivotal month that could bring the Fed’s final rate cut of the year and the confirmation of a dovish successor to Chair Jerome Powell.

The euro was up 0.04 percent at USD1.1605, while sterling last bought USD1.3239, after having clocked its best week in over three months on Friday in a relief rally following British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves’ budget reveal.

Against a basket of currencies, the greenback was down 0.05 percent to 99.39, having lost 0.7 percent last week.

Traders are now pricing in an 87 percent chance the Fed will cut by 25 basis points when it meets next week, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, rose USD1 a barrel on Monday following drone attacks by Ukraine, the closure of Venezuelan airspace by the United States, and OPEC’s decision to leave output levels unchanged in the first quarter of 2026.

Brent crude futures advanced $1, or 1.6%, to $63.38 a barrel by 9:14 am. CDT (1514 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 94 cents, or 1.61 percent, to USD59.49 a barrel.

Open-market movement

In the open market, the PKR lost 5 paise for buying and remained unchanged for selling against USD, closing at 281.15 and 281.55, respectively.

Against Euro, the PKR lost 37 paise for buying and 33 paise for selling, closing at 325.63 and 328.74, respectively.

Against UAE Dirham, the PKR gained 2 paise for buying and lost 4 paise for selling, closing at 76.61 and 77.36, respectively.

Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR gained 3 paise for buying and lost 1 paisa for selling, closing at 74.90 and 75.52, respectively.

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Open Bid Rs 281.15

Open Offer Rs 281.55

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Interbank Closing Rates: Interbank Closing Rates For Dollar on Monday

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Open Bid Rs 280.51

Open Offer Rs 280.70

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RUPEE IN LAHORE: LAHORE: The Pakistani rupee remained stable against the US dollar and strengthened against the British pound in the local currency market on first business day of the week.

Currency dealers said the rupee took a good start in the opening session, posting modest gains against the greenback during the midday session. Subsequently, it turned volatile but still managed to close on a firmer footing. The rupee ended the day at Rs 281.30 for buying, unchanged from last Friday’s levels. and Rs 281.55 for selling against Rs 281.60 of the previous closing rates, depicting a marginal change from the previous day’s levels.

Against the British pound, however, the rupee’s buying and selling rates improved, finally settling at Rs at Rs 370.10 and Rs 373.00 versus Rs 371.00 and Rs 373.50, respectively, compared with the previous day’s rates of Rs 371.00 and Rs 375.00, respectively.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025