Rupee rose five paise to 88.74 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Monday (October 6, 2025), tracking a positive trend in domestic equities and likely IPO-related inflows.

Forex traders said the rupee is trading in a tight range as it remains under pressure due to continued capital outflows and geopolitical developments.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 88.75 against the U.S. dollar, then inched up to 88.74, registering a gain of five paise from its previous close.

On Friday (October 3, 2025), the rupee depreciated eight paise to close at 88.79 against the U.S. dollar.

“We are entering a new week with three major IPOs of We-Work, Tata Capital and LG, worth about ₹31,000 crores. Inflows of these IPOs should take rupee up in the week towards 88.50 is the expectation for the day,” said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.

Bhansali further noted that “There is a continued cautious sentiment in the market as global risk factors and domestic macroeconomic data await fresh triggers for directional move of the pair, which still remains on the up.”

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday (October 5, 2025) said that any trade deal between India and the US must respect New Delhi’s “red lines” and efforts are underway to reach an understanding.

In an interactive session at an event, Jaishankar acknowledged that there were “issues” between India and the US and many of them were linked to the inability to firm up the proposed trade deal, even as he noted that “there are things you can negotiate and there are things you can’t”.

The external affairs minister said both sides have not arrived at a “landing ground” on trade discussions and that an understanding is necessary as the U.S. is the world’s largest market. But at the same time, he said India’s red lines should be respected.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 98.05, higher by 0.34%.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 1.47% higher at $65.48 per barrel in futures trading.

Forex traders said persistent foreign fund outflows and risk-off sentiment prevented a sharp rise in the domestic unit. Foreign institutional investors offloaded equities worth ₹1,583.37 crore on a net basis on Friday (October 3, 2025), according to exchange data.

The rupee rebounded from its all-time low, rising 6 paise to 88.70 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Friday (September 26, 2025) amid a weaker greenback and hopes of an India-US trade deal breakthrough.

However, FII outflows, coupled with a rise in international crude oil prices limited gains for the local unit, according to forex traders.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 88.72 before rising to 88.70, higher by 6 paise from its previous close.

The rupee had slipped 1 paisa to close at a fresh lifetime low of 88.76 against the American currency on Thursday (September 25, 2025).

“Markets await for RBI action on October 1 when the MPC announces its rate decision amidst a falling rupee and trade tariffs uncertainties. The overall outlook looks cautious, with market sentiment closely tied to foreign fund flows, global risk environment, and resolution of policy uncertainties between India and US,” Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said.

The Indian team has returned from the US after holding trade talks with their American counterparts in New York.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who led the team, will be back on Friday. The team arrived in New York on Monday to hold talks over the proposed trade agreement between the two countries.

The talks are taking place at various levels, encompassing both trade and non-trade issues.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.17 per cent lower at 98.38.