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Dollar on defensive as markets hope for best on Middle East

The dollar remained on the defensive on ​Thursday as hopes for a de-escalation in the Iran-US war supported oil-exposed currencies, while Tokyo ‌resumed its verbal intervention in support of the yen keeping speculators cautious. Iran said on Wednesday it was reviewing a US peace proposal that sources indicated would formally end the war but leave unresolved key US demands that Iran ​suspend its

Gold steady as markets focus on potential US-Iran peace deal

Gold prices held largely steady near a one-week high on Thursday as investors remained on the sidelines awaiting further details on a ​potential U.S.-Iran peace deal. Fundamentals Spot gold was unchanged at $4,688.16 per ‌ounce, as of 0059 GMT, after rising about 3% on Wednesday to its highest level since April 27. US gold futures for June delivery rose 0.1% to $4,696.60. Iran said on

Oil prices rise as investors weigh Middle East peace prospects

Oil prices rose over $1 on Thursday, rebounding from the previous day’s sharp losses, as investors weighed the prospects of a Middle East peace deal succeeding. Brent crude futures were up 78 cents, or 0.8%, at $102.05 a barrel at0400 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate gained 76 cents, or 0.8%, to $95.84 a barrel. Both benchmarks slumped more than 7% on Wednesday, hitting two-week lows on optim

Pakistan loses Rs350bn annually to illicit cigarette trade: Philip Morris International tells minister

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting with a delegation led by Marco Mariotti, President, CIS & Central Asia, Philip Morris International, to discuss key challenges facing Pakistan’s tobacco sector, including illicit trade, regulatory gaps, and export potential, according to an official statement on Thursday. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the minister

KSE-100 gains over 6,000 points amid US-Iran peace hopes

Massive buying interest was observed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war. At 2:44pm, the benchmark index was hovering at 170,849.81, up by 6,107.34 points or 3.7