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Pakistani Rupee Recovers Against US Dollar– The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) showed encouraging signs of recovery against the US Dollar (USD) in the interbank market, breaking a four-day losing streak. This positive shift comes on the heels of a crucial upgrade by Moody’s Investors Service on Pakistan’s banking sector.
Upward Trend for PKR
The PKR opened at 280 PKR/USD and exhibited relative stability throughout the day. It closed slightly lower at 279 PKR/USD, translating to a modest appreciation of 0.02% or seven paisas compared to the previous day. This upward trend, though small, offers a glimmer of hope after a period of depreciation for the PKR.
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Moody’s Upgrade Boosts Confidence
The improved outlook for the PKR is likely linked to Moody’s revised assessment of Pakistan’s banking sector. Moody’s upgraded the outlook from negative to stable, citing factors like:
- Solid Profitability: Pakistani banks are demonstrating strong profitability.
- Stable Funding & Liquidity: Banks maintain a stable foundation of funding and liquidity.
- Buffer Against Challenges: This financial strength acts as a buffer against current economic hurdles and political uncertainties.
Economic Recovery on the Horizon
Further bolstering confidence, Moody’s predicts a modest economic resurgence for Pakistan in 2024. They anticipate growth to reach 2% after a subdued performance in 2023. Additionally, inflation is expected to decline to around 23% from the previous year’s 29%.
Challenges Remain
Despite the positive outlook, some challenges persist. Moody’s highlighted the significant exposure of Pakistani banks to the government, with nearly half of their assets invested in government securities. This close connection could potentially affect the banks’ creditworthiness if the government’s financial health weakens.
External pressures and a complex operating environment may also slightly impact the performance of Pakistani banks’ loan portfolios. However, the recent uptick in the PKR’s value and the improved outlook by Moody’s offer a sigh of relief for the country’s financial sector.