Intra-day update: rupee records marginal gain against US dollar

The Pakistani rupee registered a marginal improvement against the US dollar, appreciating 0.03% during the opening hours of trading in the inter-bank market on Tuesday.

At 10:20am, the currency was hovering at 277.57, a gain of Re0.09 against the US dollar.

On Monday, the rupee had settled at 277.66, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Internationally, the US dollar was perched at an over two-month high against major currencies on Tuesday, spurred by wagers the Federal Reserve will proceed with modest rate cuts in the near term.

A string of US data has shown the economy to be resilient and slowing only modestly, while inflation in September rose slightly more than expected, leading traders to trim bets on large rate cuts from the Fed.

The US central bank kicked off its easing cycle with an aggressive 50 basis points at its last policy meeting in September but market expectations have shifted to a slower pace of cuts, boosting the dollar.

Traders are now ascribing 89% chance of a 25 bps cut in November, with 45 bps of easing overall priced in for the year.

The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six rivals, was at 103.27, just shy of 103.36, the highest level since Aug. 8 it touched on Monday. The index is up 2.5% and on course to snap its three-month losing streak.

Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, slid 3% during Asian trade on Tuesday on the back of a weaker demand outlook and after a media report said Israel is willing not to strike Iranian oil targets, which eased fears of a supply disruption.

Brent crude futures were down $2.35, or 3%, at $75.11 per barrel at 0445 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell $2.26, or 3.1%, to $71.57 per barrel.

Both benchmarks had settled about 2% lower on Monday.

This is an intra-day update