• Pakistan Rupee (PKR) weakens but still set for weekly gains
  • SBP foreign exchange reserves +0.03%
  • US Dollar (USD) eases versus majors after strong gins on Thursday
  • A quiet economic calendar leaves sentiment to drive movement

The US Dollar Pakistan Rupee (USD/PKR) exchange rate is advancing on Friday snapping a five session winning run. The pair settled -0.85% in the previous session at 154.43. At 10:50 UTC, USD/PKR trades +0.98% at 155.95. The pair is set to lose -0.27% across the week.

The Pakistan Rupee has experienced a strong and sustained rise versus the US Dollar in recent weeks. The rise in remittances, export growth and the accumulation of US Dollars in the State Bank of Pakistan’s Roshan Digital Accounts are the contributing factors behind the rally in the Rupee.

The SBP’s foreign exchange reserves reached $13 billion in the week ending 12th March. The represents a $4 million or 0.03% increase.

Separately, the number of covid cases in Pakistan are once again on the rise. Pakistan reported 3500 new daily cases. Government is urging the public to strictly follow public health guidelines amid fears of a third wave and lockdowns.

The US Dollar surging versus the Rupee. However, it is pushing only mildly higher versus its major peers. The US Dollar Index which measures the greenback versus a basket of 6 majors, trades +0.05% at 91.90 at the time of writing.

Whilst the US Dollar is edging lower, it remains at elevated levels, supported by higher US treasury yields. Yields on the benchmark 10 year treasury surged to a 14 month high yesterday of 1.75% as inflation expectations rose after the Fed meeting. The Fed boosted the US economic growth forecast to 6.5% this year, the strongest growth in 40 years but insisted it would maintain its accommodative stance.

Yields today have eased slightly to 1.69% allowing the US Dollar rally to pause for breath. There is no high impacting US data due to be released today so investors will remain focused on inflation expectations across the session.