- Pakistan Rupee (PKR) advances in risk on trade
- Pakistan has secured $800 million in debt freeze
- US Dollar (USD) slips on safe haven flows
- US consumer confidence up next
The US Dollar Pakistan Rupee (USD/PKR) exchange rate is heading southwards on Tuesday, paring gains from the previous session. The pair settled +0.1% higher on Monday at 160.70. At 10:15 UTC, USD/ trades -0.6% at 159.65 at the low of the day.
An upbeat mood in the market is booting the Rupee whilst dragging on the safe haven US Dollar, as investors cheer the vaccine developments from the previous day. News that AstraZeneca’s vaccine candidate is 90% effective with preliminary half dose or 70% effective with a single dose is lifting risk appetite. US futures are once again moving higher reflecting the risk on mood
Pakistan has so far secured $800 million worth of debt freeze deals from 14 member of the G20. It still awaits ratifications from the other 6 countries including Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Pakistan qualified for the debt relief initiative announced in April in an attempt to help the country through the adverse impact of the pandemic.
In total Pakistan is expecting $1.8 billion of temporary debt relief from G20 members according to the Ministry of Affairs.
As of August, this year, Pakistan owes $25.4 billion to the Group of 20 nations.
Signs that Trump is ready to move on from the elections is also helping the risk on mood. Joe Biden has received official acknowledgment that he effectively won the race to the White House. Trump liking the tweet, gives the message that he has come to terms with the election outcome.
The prospect of an orderly transfer of power is a great relief to the markets after fears of a disorderly end to Trump’s term dragged on the market for the past three weeks; a line can now be drawn under this risk.
Looking ahead US consumer confidence data will be in focus.
