The rupee pared initial gains to settle 2 paise lower at 83.03 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, weighed down by a surge in crude oil prices and strong American currency overseas.

However, a positive trend in domestic markets cushioned the downside for the local unit, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.98 against the U.S. dollar and moved in a range of 82.93 and 83.04.

The rupee finally settled at 83.03 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar, down 2 paise from its previous close.

On Wednesday, the rupee closed at 83.01 against the U.S. currency.

“The Indian rupee fell on Thursday on a positive U.S. Dollar and rising crude oil prices. This may impact the external payments.

“However, the positive tone of domestic equities prevented a sharp fall in the domestic currency. The U.S. Dollar gained on hotter than expected CPI raised rate hike concerns,” said Anuj Choudhary – Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose marginally by 0.01% to 104.77.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, advanced 0.70% to $92.52 per barrel.

“We expect the rupee to trade with a slight negative bias on expectations that the U.S. Dollar may rise further. Elevated crude oil prices and selling pressure from foreign investors may put further pressure on the rupee,” Mr. Choudhary said.

However, any intervention by the Reserve Bank of India and positive domestic markets may support the rupee at lower levels, Mr. Choudhary said, adding that traders may remain cautious ahead of retail sales and PPI data from the U.S., expected to be softer than the previous month.

On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex closed 52.01 points or 0.08% higher at 67,519.00. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 33.10 points or 0.16% to 20,103.10.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market on Wednesday as they offloaded shares worth ₹1,631.63 crore, according to exchange data.

The rupee rates in the last six days.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The rupee snapped a four-day losing streak to close 24 paise higher at 82.99 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Friday, helped by a firm trend in domestic equities and suspected intervention by the RBI.

Besides, the local unit appreciated after the Reserve Bank announced the discontinuation of incremental cash reserve ratio in a phased manner by October 7, 2023, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.13 against the U.S. dollar and moved in a range of 82.91 to 83.17 in the day trade.

The rupee finally settled 24 paise higher at 82.99 (provisional) against the previous close.

On Thursday, the rupee depreciated 10 paise to its lifetime low of 83.23 against the U.S. dollar.

The rupee appreciated by 25 Paisa on Friday as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has discontinued the incremental cash reserve ratio in a phased manner by October 7, 2023, said Anuj Choudhary – Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

Mr. Choudhary further said that reports of the RBI intervention in the forex markets to protect the rupee ahead of the G20 meeting also supported the domestic currency.

Positive domestic markets and softening of crude oil prices at higher levels also supported the rupee.

“We expect the rupee to trade with a slight positive bias on positive domestic equities and intervention by the RBI. However, overall strong Dollar and elevated crude oil prices may cap the upside.”

“Traders may take a cautious approach ahead of U.S. CPI inflation next week, which is expected to remain higher. USD/INR spot price is likely to trade in a range of ₹82.40 to ₹83.50,” Mr. Choudhary added.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.04% to 105.01.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, advanced 0.61% to $90.47 per barrel.

On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex closed 333.35 points or 0.50% higher at 66,598.91. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 92.90 points or 0.47% to 19,819.95.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Thursday as they offloaded shares worth ₹758.55 crore, according to exchange data.