Let’s make it is easy for those of us trying to make their way through the complicated world of finance needs to understand economic and market indicators. Deciphering these numbers can offer insightful information to anyone with an interest in the economy, be they an aspiring investor, business owner, or just someone with general curiosity. We’ll deconstruct some important economic and market data points in this approachable guide, explaining their meaning and providing guidance on how to interpret them.
WEEKLY PAKISTAN’S FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
- PKR InterBank (Jan 05, 2024): 281.3997
- KSE100 Index (Jan 05, 2024): 64,514.90
- Gold (Karachi) Rs/10 gm (Jan 05, 2024): 186,043
INTEREST RATES
- KIBOR 6M (Jan 05, 2024): 21.38
- SBP Policy Rate (Jun 27, 2023): 22.00
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
- EUR/USD (Jan 05, 2024): 1.0942
- USD/JPY (Jan 05, 2024): 144.624
OPEN MARKET RATES
- USD (Jan 05, 2024): 282.36
- EUR (Jan 05, 2024): 308.65
- GBP (Jan 05, 2024): 358.13
SBP DATA
T-BILL AND PIB AUCTION CUTOFF YIELD
- 3M T-Bill (Dec 27, 2023): 21.4480
- 10Y PIB (Dec 20, 2023): 15.0000
INTEREST RATE CORRIDOR
- SBP Policy Rate (Jun 27, 2023): 22.00
- SBP Reverse Repo Rate (Jun 27, 2023): 23.00
WEEKLY INDICATORS
- SBP FX Reserves (Dec 29, 2023): 8,221.20 USD Million
- SPI (Combined Group – Jan 04, 2024): 313.66
MONTHLY INDICATORS (DECEMBER)
INFLATION
- Consumer Price Index (Base 2015-16): 255.24
- Change – MOM (pct): 0.82
- Change – YOY (pct): 29.66
TRADE BALANCE
- Exports (USD Million): 2,812.00
- Imports (USD Million): 4,514.00
- Trade Balance (USD Million): -1,702.00
ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY INDICATORS
- GDP Growth Rate (FY23): -0.17%
- Large Scale Manufacturing Index (October): 111.06
- Pakistan’s External Debt (Sep 30, 2023): 128,091.00 USD Million
UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
The PKR InterBank rate represents the exchange rate between the Pakistani Rupee and other major currencies. The KSE100 Index reflects the performance of the Karachi Stock Exchange.
INTEREST RATES
KIBOR 6M indicates the Karachi Interbank Offered Rate for a 6-month period, while T-Bill and PIB yields showcase returns on government securities.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Exchange rates like EUR/USD and USD/JPY reveal the relative values of different currencies.
INFLATION AND TRADE BALANCE
Consumer Price Index measures inflation, while the trade balance shows the difference between exports and imports.
GDP AND MANUFACTURING
The GDP growth rate highlights the overall economic health, and the Large Scale Manufacturing Index indicates industrial performance.
EXTERNAL DEBT AND RESERVES
External debt and foreign exchange reserves reflect a country’s financial stability and capacity.
CONCLUSION
Market data and economic indicators are comparable to a language that, when understood, can help people make informed decisions. This guide covers the essentials, but there’s plenty more to learn. You can gain a better understanding of the state of the economy and how it impacts various aspects of your life by routinely keeping an eye on these indicators. Happy Investing!
