Business
Rupee extends rally with gains of 20 paisa | The Express Tribune
The Pakistani rupee extended its gains against the US dollar on Wednesday, rising 20 paisa, or 0.07%, in the inter-bank market. The currency closed at 282.22 compared to the previous day’s closing level of 282.42.
It was the rupee’s fifth consecutive day of appreciation, driven by improved market sentiment amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal currency dealers and smugglers. Last week, a court handed five-year prison terms to three illegal currency traders and fined Rs1 million each for engaging in unlawful foreign exchange operations.
In global trade, the US dollar slipped after soft US inflation data reinforced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next month. Political developments in Washington, including President Donald Trump’s moves to tighten control over US institutions, also weighed on the greenback.
The dollar index hit a more than two-week low, making bullion cheaper for overseas buyers, while the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note edged lower, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, gold prices in Pakistan inched lower, diverging from the international trend, where the metal gained on a weaker US dollar and falling Treasury yields. Mild US inflation data reinforced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, with markets also factoring in the possibility of further easing later this year.
In the local market, the price of gold per tola fell Rs200 to Rs358,100, according to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association. The rate for 10 grams declined Rs171 to Rs307,013. On Tuesday, gold had dropped by Rs500 to Rs358,300 per tola.
Interactive Commodities Director Adnan Agar said global gold prices were moving within a narrow range, with Wednesday’s high at $3,370 per ounce and low at $3,342. “The market was trading at $3,355 and waiting for fresh triggers,” he noted.
Agar pointed to the upcoming geopolitical events, including a Russia-US-Ukraine summit this weekend, as potential drivers. “If the summit fails, gold prices are likely to rise. A breakthrough could push prices lower,” he said.
Agar added that markets were also looking ahead to the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision next month, where there was a strong likelihood of an interest rate cut, a move that could further influence gold’s direction.
Spot gold gained 0.4% to $3,357.59 per ounce by 12:10 pm ET (1610 GMT). US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.3% to $3,408.50.
“Gold is buoyant on heightened expectations of a September Fed rate cut, following benign inflation data and July’s weak non-farm payrolls,” said Nikos Tzabouras, senior market analyst at Tradu.com.
The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
One of Britain’s most prolific rail fare dodgers could face jail after admitting dozens of travel offences.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket a total of 112 times over a two-year period, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
He could be ordered to pay more than £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs, the court was told.
He will be sentenced next month.
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Brohiri “could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed”.
He pleaded guilty to 76 offences on Thursday.
It came after he was convicted in his absence of 36 charges at a previous hearing.
During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Tempia dismissed a bid by Brohiri’s lawyers to have the 36 convictions overturned.
They had argued the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional.
But Judge Tempia rejected the argument, saying there had been “no abuse of this court’s process”.
JSW Jetour T2 Launch: JSW Motors Limited, the passenger vehicle arm of the JSW Group, is reportedly preparing to enter the Indian car market this year. It has partnered with Jetour, a China-based automotive brand owned by Chery Automobile, and the Jetour T2 SUV could be the company’s first product, according to the reports.
Media reports suggest that the launch will happen independently and not under the JSW MG Motor India joint venture. The SUV will wear a JSW badge and name, instead of the Jetour branding. The upcoming SUV will be assembled at JSW’s upcoming greenfield manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra.
According to the reports, the company plans to have the vehicle on sale by the third quarter of this year. With this move, JSW aims to establish itself as a standalone carmaker in India.
Expected Powertrain
The SUV is likely to arrive with a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid setup. Internationally, this hybrid powertrain is offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. It is still unclear which version will be introduced in India.
Design
In terms of design, the T2 is a large and rugged-looking SUV. It has a boxy and upright stance, similar to vehicles like the Land Rover Defender. Despite its tough appearance, it uses a monocoque chassis instead of a ladder-frame construction.
Size
The SUV measures around 4.7 metres in length and nearly 2 metres in width. This makes it larger than the Tata Safari, even though it is a five-seater. A longer 7-seat version is also sold in some markets.
Price
Pricing details for India are yet to be announced. For reference, the front-wheel-drive five-seat T2 i-DM is priced at AED 1,44,000 (around Rs 35 lakh) in the UAE.
Jetour
Jetour is a brand owned by Chinese automaker Chery. Launched in 2018, it focuses mainly on SUVs and is present in markets across China, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
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