
Gold peaks as market fears correction
As gold prices soared to new heights in Pakistan on Tuesday, following a global surge, investors found themselves in uncertain waters. Experts are now forecasting a significant correction, despite the ongoing record-breaking gains.
According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of 24-karat gold surged by Rs5,900 per tola, reaching a historic high of Rs363,700 in the local market. The price of 10 grams of gold also jumped significantly, climbing Rs5,059 to settle at Rs311,814.
This follows a sharp increase on Monday when gold prices per tola rose by Rs8,100 to hit the then-record high of Rs357,800.
Internationally, gold prices also scaled new heights. APGJSA reported the global rate at $3,454 per ounce on Tuesday — including a $20 premium — marking a daily gain of $59.
Commenting on the development, Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities, noted that gold touched a peak of $3,500 in the international market before retreating to $3,426. "The market is now $75 below its intraday high, signalling the potential for an even bigger correction," he said. "If prices dip below $3,400, further downward movement is likely. Otherwise, a rebound could be on the cards. Today's closing price will be crucial in determining the near-term trend."
The persistent rally in gold is being closely watched by investors amid global economic uncertainty and currency fluctuations, he said.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee posted a marginal gain against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Tuesday, appreciating by 0.04%. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the local currency closed at 280.77, up by 10 paisas compared to Monday's closing rate of 280.87.
Globally, the US dollar remained under pressure, hovering near multi-year lows as investor confidence weakened amid persistent criticism of the Federal Reserve by President Donald Trump.
The dollar edged close to its lowest level in nearly a decade against the Swiss franc and hovered near a three-and-a-half-year low against the euro.
Trump intensified his attacks on Fed Chair Jerome Powell in a Truth Social post on Monday, branding him a "major loser" and urging an immediate rate cut to avoid a potential economic downturn.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Nikkei falls as traders lock in gains after rally
TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average dropped on Friday, trimming a weekly advance that brought the index to the brink of a record, as traders locked in gains spurred by a newly inked trade deal with the United States. The Nikkei 225 Index slid 0.9% to close at 41,456.23, trimming its five-day advance to 4.1%. The broader Topix, which hit an all-time high on Thursday, also dropped 0.9%. The trade deal, announced late on Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, reduced a reciprocal tariff on Japanese goods and autos-specific levies to 15% from the 25% Washington had threatened previously. Shares of industrial robot maker Yaskawa Electric dropped 6%, paring a steep three-day advance. Mitsubishi Motors plunged 7.9% after the automaker reported an 84% drop in first-quarter operating profit. The Nikkei's 14-day relative strength index (RSI), a technical measure for an investment momentum, reached 77.8 on Thursday, the highest since the stock gauge hit its all-time high of 41,889.16 in July 2024.


Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
European shares settle lower as investors gauge mixed earnings
FRANKFURT: European shares closed lower on Friday, as investors assessed mixed corporate earnings while awaiting updates on a framework of an EU-US trade deal that officials said could be reached as early as this weekend. Investors navigated the peaks and troughs around a potential agreement between the two large economies after a busy week of trade discussions with the US culminated in deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The pan-European STOXX 600 index dropped 0.6% to session lows after US President Donald Trump said there was less chance of an agreement with the EU, but pared losses after EU diplomats reiterated that a deal of 15% duties on European goods was still in the works. The index last closed 0.2% lower with most regional bourses in red, but on a weekly basis, the STOXX index was on track for modest gains. 'It's hard to spin it as a good deal, but it would at least avoid much higher US tariffs and retaliation from the EU,' said Jack Allen-Reynolds, deputy chief euro zone economist at Capital Economics. 'The reported deal with the US would take a major downside risk off the table for now, weakening the case for further interest rate cuts.' Also weighing on stocks were elevated bond yields that got a lift after the European Central Bank's comments on Thursday tempered expectations of imminent interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, corporate earnings were in full swing. Puma was the biggest percentage loser on the benchmark index, falling 16%, its largest daily drop in more than four months. The sportswear brand cut its full-year outlook and reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results. London-listed sports retailer JD Sports slipped 0.7% after Puma's results. On the flip side, LVMH gained 3.9% after the French luxury group reported quarterly results, with analysts pointing to hopes on the horizon as the group said it saw signs of recovery in the Chinese market. The broader luxury index rose 1.8% and was the top sectoral performer. Automobile stocks gained 1.4%, boosted by Volkswagen's 4.6% rise after the CEO of Europe's biggest carmaker said cost cuts must be accelerated in response to tariffs. Earlier in the session, shares took a hit on the company's slashed full-year sales and profit margin forecasts.


Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Wall St rises on US-EU trade deal prospects
NEW YORK: Wall Street's main indexes were higher on Friday after EU officials signalled that a framework trade deal with the US could be signed as soon as this weekend, while Intel tumbled following a disappointing forecast. At 11:36 a.m. the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 71.91 points, or 0.15%, to 44,762.88, creeping up to the record high it had touched on December 4. The S&P 500 gained 15.65 points, or 0.24%, to 6,378.89, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 51.29 points, or 0.25%, to 21,110.19. Intel dropped 9% after the chipmaker forecast steeper third-quarter losses than expected and announced plans to slash jobs. Deckers Outdoor soared 18% after beating first-quarter revenue and profit estimates on resilient demand for its sneakers and boots in international markets. Meanwhile, diplomats said the proposed agreement would set a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods entering the US and a 50% levy on European steel and aluminum. President Donald Trump said earlier in the day the odds of a US-EU trade deal were '50-50'. Negotiations with South Korea, too, accelerated as countries scrambled to sidestep Trump's steep import duties. 'It's another notch in the gun where trade victories seem to be a driving force right now,' said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research. 'Wall Street's being rewarded for its belief that these are negotiating tactics rather than realities. And until that changes, investors will continue to be encouraged by additional agreements.' The flurry of trade progress including fresh agreements with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines helped set the three major indexes on track for a strong finish to the week, if gains hold. However, the week also saw some setbacks. Heavyweights Tesla and General Motors stumbled and were on track for their steepest weekly losses in nearly two months if the declines continue. The focus turns to the US Federal Reserve meeting next week, with Wall Street widely expecting the central bank to hold interest rates steady as it weighs the impact of the tariffs on inflation. Traders now see about 64% chance of a rate cut in September, according to CME's FedWatch tool. Among other stocks, Health insurer Centene posted a surprise quarterly loss, but its shares gained 6.6%. Paramount Global rose 1.3% after US regulators approved its $8.4-billion merger with Skydance Media. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.12-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.43-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 33 new 52-week highs and six new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 44 new highs and 42 new lows.