Business
Gold up Rs7,400/tola as global rate at 2-week high | The Express Tribune
In 2006-07, a 1 percent withholding tax was imposed on commercial imports of gold in the country. Photo: Express News
KARACHI:
Gold prices in Pakistan rose sharply on Monday, tracking gains in the international market, where the yellow metal surged over 2% to hit a two-week high as weak US economic data bolstered expectations of an imminent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of gold per tola jumped Rs7,400 to reach Rs429,862, while the rate for 10 grams increased Rs6,337, settling at Rs368,530. On Saturday, the precious metal had closed at Rs422,462 per tola after a modest decline of Rs600. In the international market, spot gold climbed to as high as $4,105 per ounce before easing slightly to $4,090, marking a notable recovery from the previous session’s low of $4,002.
Commenting on the trend, Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities, said, “Gold has come up today (Monday) – it hit a high of $4,105 and was later standing at $4,090. The market has risen about $80 to $90. If it crosses the next resistance around $4,155-4,150, it could continue its upward momentum; otherwise, a correction towards $4,080-4,050 is possible.”
Analysts said investor demand for gold remains strong amid expectations of lower US interest rates, which typically weaken the dollar and boost appeal for non-yielding assets like gold.
Spot gold climbed 2.3% to $4,090.96 per ounce as of 11:43 am ET (1643 GMT) after hitting its highest level since October 27 earlier in the session, according to Reuters. US gold futures for December delivery rose 2.2% to $4,099.20 per ounce.
“Some weak data last week has the market tilting a little more dovish in their Fed expectations. … We could very much still see a December rate cut,” said Peter Grant, Vice President and Senior Metals Strategist at Zaner Metals.
Data last week showed the US economy shed jobs in October, with losses in the government and retail sectors. Additionally, US consumer sentiment slumped in early November as households worried about the economic fallout, data on Friday showed.
Markets now see a 67% chance of a rate cut in December, with odds climbing to about 80% by January, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee recorded a slight appreciation against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Monday. By the end of trading, the local currency stood at 280.81, gaining Rs0.01 against the greenback.
In the previous week, the rupee had also shown a mild improvement, rising Rs0.09, or 0.03%, to close at 280.82 compared to 280.91 in the preceding week, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan.
Business
Oven Pride firm McBride sees ‘first signs’ of supply shortages due to Iran war
Oven Pride household goods group McBride has revealed “temporary” price hikes to cover increased costs from the Iran war and warned it was seeing the first signs of supply shortages caused by the conflict.
The group, which makes branded and white label household and cleaning products for the likes of Tesco and Sainsbury’s, said until now it had only seen a small impact from higher haulage costs due to fuel price rises, but said “these conditions have now started to change”.
It said the “most heavily impacted” chemical and packaging suppliers are pushing through price increases as they face rising costs for petrochemical-derived feedstocks and higher energy costs in chemical and packaging production.
“The first signs of possible shortages in supply chains around the world are beginning to emerge,” it added.
McBride said its costs are increasing this month and will rise further due to the war, and is set to lift prices to offset the hit.
“The group has already informed all customers about temporary price adjustments, or surcharges to current pricing, to recover these higher, beyond our control, cost impacts from the Middle East conflict,” McBride said.
The warnings come amid mounting worries over the impact of the conflict on supply and costs, having sent oil prices surging above 100 US dollars a barrel and causing widespread disruption to global shipping.
Supermarkets met with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband at No 11 on Wednesday to look at issues caused by the war and agreed to explore together how to ease the cost-of-living impact for consumers.
McBride’s comments came in an update as it also announced a £34.5 million deal to buy Eurotab – a French-based specialist in cleaning tablets, such as for dishwashers.
Business
Tiger Woods won’t captain 2027 Ryder Cup team as golf future remains uncertain
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club looks on before the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, March 24, 2026.
Adam Glanzman | TGL Golf | Getty Images
Tiger Woods’ future in professional golf remains unclear as he seeks treatment after a rollover car crash last week.
Woods was arrested for a DUI after the accident in Jupiter Island, Florida, his second rollover in five years, and said in a statement on X that he would be stepping back from golf “to return to a healthier stronger, and more focused place.”
Woods did not provide a timeline for his return, only that he would be stepping away for a “period of time.”
On Wednesday, the PGA of America announced that Woods will no longer serve as captain of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup Team.
“We support his decision,” the PGA of America said in a statement on X. “We commend Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes to make such a personal decision.”
The latest developments leave Woods at least temporarily at the fringes of the sport that made him a household name. The golf community has rallied around the sport’s biggest star as he vows to “focus on his health,” and the PGA Tour said in a statement that Woods has the organization’s full support.
“Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course. But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well‑being,” the tour said.
Off the course, Woods has been serving as chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee since August. That group has been responsible for creating a vision for the future of professional golf.
A PGA Tour spokesperson said that Woods will return to that role when he is ready to do so.
Golf Channel analyst and former tour pro Brandel Chamblee suggested it could be time for Woods to consider retirement following his latest accident. Woods, 50, has been recovering from various injuries sustained in his car crash in 2021.
“Why would he need to play golf anymore?” Chamblee asked Friday on the Golf Channel’s “Golf Central.” “I think he should probably ask himself that. Consider not playing golf anymore.”
Until Friday’s accident, Woods held onto hope that he would compete in the upcoming Masters Tournament this month.
Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley confirmed this week that Woods would not play.
“Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta,” Ridley said. “Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being.”
TGR, Woods’ education foundation, said it remains committed to serving its students and communities.
“Our thoughts are with our founder as he takes the time needed to focus on his health,” its CEO Hrag Hamalian said in a statement.
Woods’ apparel brand, Sun Day Red, also voiced its support this week.
“He is not just our partner, he is our friend. We are here for him and we remain focused on the work we are building together,” the company said in a post on the Meta-owned Threads platform.
TGL, the indoor golf league founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy, declined to comment about Woods’ hiatus and potential return.
Woods made his first TGL playing appearance of the season for the Jupiter Links team last week in front of a notable audience. ESPN said nearly 1 million viewers tuned in to watch Woods’ return, making it the largest audience this season.
Business
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club raises its annual membership fee to $60
A Sam’s Club in Miami, July 7, 2025.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club said Wednesday it will raise its annual membership fee by $10.
Starting on May 1, the warehouse club — which directly competes with Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club — will charge $60 per year for basic membership and $120 for its higher-tier option. It currently charges $50 for club members and $110 for Plus members and last raised annual fees in October 2022.
In a statement, Sam’s Club said it has “adjusted our membership pricing to support the things our members love,” citing perks including its assortment, expanded hours and better curbside pickup and delivery options.
Still, those new fees will be below those of rival Costco, which charges $65 per year for its basic membership and $130 per year for its higher-tier option. Costco hiked its fees in 2024. The fees bring Sam’s Club in line with BJ’s, which charges $60 per year for its basic membership and $120 per year for its higher-tier membership.
Sam’s Club is hiking membership fees as its annual sales and membership grow. Net sales for Sam’s Club in the U.S. grew by about 3.1% to $93 billion last fiscal year, according to Walmart’s fourth-quarter earnings report. That growth has come in part from an expanding digital business: In the holiday quarter, the warehouse club’s e-commerce sales increased by 23% year over year. Store and website visits increased, too, with transactions rising 5.3% year over year in the same quarter.
Higher gas prices, driven by the Iran war, have drawn more attention to one of warehouse clubs’ key perks: cheaper prices at the pump. Gas prices hit a nationwide average of $4.018 this week, according to travel association AAA. That’s the highest price since August 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine war drove up energy prices.
Sam’s Club does not disclose its membership count, but said that it hit a record high in the three-month quarter that ended Jan. 31. Membership for the retailer is estimated to be more than 30 million, with a similar proportion of members opting into the higher-tier level as at Costco, according to David Bellinger, a retail analyst for Mizuho Securities.
Based on the equity research firm’s estimate, the membership fee increase could bump up annual income from the subscriptions by more than $200 million. That would translate to a 2 cent annual earnings per share lift for parent company Walmart.
Membership fee increases for current members will take effect when they renew at the end of their billing cycle. Sam’s Club said it emailed members about the fee increase on Tuesday.
As part of the fee change, Sam’s Club said members of its higher-tier level, called “Plus,” will be able to earn up to $750 per year in Sam’s Cash rewards on eligible purchases, up from $500 per year.
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