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The rupee pared its initial losses and settled for the day on an almost flat note at 83.50 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on July 4, resisting pressure from elevated crude oil prices.

Forex traders said a positive trend in domestic equities, wherein benchmark indices touched all-time high levels, and significant foreign fund inflows supported the rupee and restricted the fall.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.52 and hit the intraday high of 83.48 and a low of 83.56 against the American currency during the session.

It finally settled at 83.50 (provisional) against the dollar, 1 paisa lower than its previous close.

On Wednesday, the rupee settled 1 paisa lower at 83.49 against the U.S. dollar.

“We expect the rupee to trade with a slight positive bias on softness in the US dollar amid weak economic data and rise in risk appetite in global markets,” said Anuj Choudhary – Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

“However, elevated crude oil prices may limit the gains. Investors may remain cautious ahead of the U.S. non-farm payrolls report tomorrow,” Mr. Choudhary said, adding that $-₹ spot price is expected to trade in a range of ₹83.20 to ₹83.80.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.15% lower at 105.24.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, were trading 0.47% lower at $86.93 per barrel.

In the domestic equity market, Sensex breached the historic 80,000-mark and Nifty scaled a fresh lifetime high. The 30-share BSE Sensex ended the day 62.87 points, or 0.08%, up at its all-time high of 80,049.67 points. The broader NSE Nifty settled 15.65 points, or 0.06%, higher at a fresh peak of 24,302.15 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital markets on Wednesday, as they purchased shares worth ₹5,483.63 crore, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, according to an official of S&P Global Ratings, a sovereign rating upgrade for India in the next 24 months is possible if the central government is able to prudently manage its finances and bring down the fiscal deficit to 4% of GDP.

S&P Global Ratings Director, Sovereign Ratings, YeeFarn Phua, said the trigger for an upgrade would be the government (Centre + states) deficit falling below 7 per cent of the GDP, and a lot of this would have to be driven by the central government.

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| Photo Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy

The rupee appreciated by 7 paise to 83.24 against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday amid softening crude oil prices in the international market.

Forex traders said the local unit faced some resistance due to subdued sentiment in the domestic equity market and foreign fund outflows.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.29 and inched up further to trade at 83.24 against the greenback, registering a gain of 7 paise from its previous closing level.

On Tuesday, the rupee appreciated 6 paise to close at 83.31 against the U.S. dollar.

“As the rupee seems to have started aligning with its fundamentals, in the short term, one can expect the Rupee to approach levels of 83.00 to 83.10, while the medium-term target is projected to range between 82.80 to 82.50 levels,” CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari said.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 104.63, lower by 0.02%.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, declined 0.65% to $82.34 per barrel.

On the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex was trading 37.12 points, or 0.05% lower at 73,916.19 points. The broader NSE Nifty was down 30.40 points, or 0.13%, to 22,498.65 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Tuesday, as they offloaded shares worth ₹1,874.54 crore, according to exchange data.

On the macroeconomic front, according to an article in the RBI’s May Bulletin released on Tuesday, India is likely to grow by 7.5% in the first quarter of the current financial year, driven by rising aggregate demand and non-food spending in the rural economy.

Representational image of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) head office in Mumbai
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Markets regulator SEBI has revamped the method for calculating the market capitalisation of listed companies under the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) rules.

Instead of using the market capitalisation of a single day (currently March 31), listed companies will now use the “average market capitalisation” for a six-month period.

Market experts believe the market capitalisation of a listed entity keeps fluctuating on a daily basis based on market dynamics and, therefore, an average of market capitalisation figures over a reasonable period of time (six months) would more accurately reflect the market size of the listed entity and consequently the ranking, vis-a-vis its peers.

The changes came after a recommendation of an expert committee chaired by SEBI’s former whole-time member S.K. Mohanty in a bid to promote ease of doing business. The amendment aims to specify a defined period for calculating average market capitalisation.

The new amendment would come into force with effect from December 31, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in a notification on May 17.

The ranking of compliance would be based on average market capitalisation from July 1 to December 31, with December 31 as the cut-off date.

After determining the market capitalisation on December 31, there would be a three-month transition period, or from the beginning of the immediate next financial year, whichever is later, before the relevant provisions become applicable.

Amending LODR norms, SEBI said, “Every recognised stock exchange shall, at the end of the calendar year i.e., December 31, prepare a list of entities that have listed their specified securities ranking such entities on the basis of their average market capitalisation from July 1 to December 31 of that calendar year”.

In case ranking of an entity changes for three consecutive years, the new provisions would cease to be applicable for the listed entity, providing relief to entities experiencing fluctuations in market capitalisation.

In addition, SEBI has given relaxation pertaining to filling up vacancies of key managerial personnel (KMP) with increasing the time limit to six months in certain cases from the current three months.

In cases where the listed entity is required to obtain approval of regulatory, government or statutory authorities to fill up such vacancies, these should be filled up by the listed entity at the earliest and in any case not later than six months from the date of vacancy, SEBI said.

In order to maintain uniformity, the timeline for prior intimation of board meetings has been harmonised to two working days for al types of events.

Current LODR regulations require a listed company to intimate stock exchanges about board meetings for certain proposals such as financial results, share buyback, fundraising, etc, within 2-11 working days.

Representational image of a traffic signal in the foreground of the Bombay Stock Exchange on Dalal Street. File

Equity benchmark indices declined in early trade on Tuesday in line with weak trends from Asian markets and fresh foreign fund outflows.

The BSE Sensex declined 218.11 points to 73,787.83. The NSE Nifty dipped 97.45 points to 22,404.55.

Among the Sensex components, Nestle, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, Hindustan Unilever and ICICI Bank were the major laggards.

Tata Steel, Power Grid, Tata Steel and Asian Paints were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading lower while Tokyo quoted in the positive territory.

Wall Street ended mostly higher on Monday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 92.95 crore on Saturday, according to exchange data.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.56% to $83.24 a barrel.

The BSE benchmark climbed 88.91 points or 0.12% to end at 74,005.94 in a special trading session on Saturday. The NSE Nifty advanced 35.90 points or 0.16% to 22,502.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE conducted a special trading session in the equity and equity derivative segments on May 18 to check their preparedness for handling major disruptions or failures at the primary site.

Among individual stocks, Nestle India fell over 2%, walking back gains made in the previous session, as the shareholders of the local arm voted against a royalty hike to Swiss parent Nestle SA.

The KitKat chocolate maker was the top loser on the benchmark Nifty.

Bharat Electronics rose 9% to a record high after reporting a 30% jump in March-quarter profit.

Oil India rose about 4% to an all-time high after reporting a rise in fourth-quarter profit.

Markets were closed on May 20 due to the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Mumbai.

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| Photo Credit: Reuters

The rupee appreciated 3 paise to 83.42 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on May 6, supported by a firm trend in domestic equities.

Forex traders said the strength of the American currency in the overseas market and foreign fund outflows weighed on the local unit and restricted the up move.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.43 against the greenback. It later touched 83.42 in initial trade, registering a rise of 3 paise from its previous close.

On Friday, the rupee inched up 1 paisa to settle at 83.45 against the U.S. dollar.

Indian rupee has not been able to make a dent against the dollar as FPIs and oil companies continue to buy U.S. dollars and ensure it remains range bound, as RBI protects it from depreciation beyond 83.50, said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 105.16, higher by 0.13%.

“The dollar was broadly steady as a soft U.S. jobs report boosted traders that the U.S. may still cut rates twice in 2024,” Mr. Bhansali said.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.23% to $83.15 per barrel.

On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 434.04 points or 0.59% to 74,312.19 in early trade. The NSE Nifty advanced 91.60 points or 0.41% to 22,567.45 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Friday, as they offloaded shares worth ₹2,391.98 crore, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, India’s forex reserves dropped $2.412 billion to $637.922 billion as on April 26, in the third consecutive weekly decline in the reserves, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday.

In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had declined $2.28 billion to $640.33 billion.

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| Photo Credit: Reuters

The rupee depreciated 3 paise to 83.48 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on April 30 amid a strong American currency against major Asian rivals and an upward movement in the crude oil prices.

However, positive sentiment in the domestic equity markets and some inflow of foreign capital in the Indian equities capped the fall in the Indian currency, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 83.46 against the greenback and then slipped further to 83.48, registering a loss of 3 paise compared to its previous closing level.

On Monday, the rupee had settled 7 paise lower at 83.45 against the U.S. dollar.

Gaurang Somaiya, Forex and bullion analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, said the rupee weakened amidst rising concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve could delay interest rate cuts as the country’s inflation stayed above the Central bank’s 2% target.

“U.S. economy remains resilient and with a hawkish stance from the Fed, the dollar remains well supported at lower levels,” he said, adding that the USD-INR (Spot) is expected “to trade sideways with positive bias in a range of 83.20-83.50”.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting begins on Tuesday and the interest rate decision is expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Besides, market participants are expected to take cues from the U.S. consumer confidence index to be announced on Tuesday and the domestic manufacturing PMI data on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.27% to 105.73.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, inched up 0.06% to $88.45 per barrel.

In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex was trading 135.59 points or 0.18% higher at 74,806.87. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 47.65 points or 0.21% to 22,691.05.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital markets on Monday, as they purchased shares worth ₹169.09 crore on a net basis, according to exchange data.

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| Photo Credit: Reuters

The rupee rebounded 14 paise to 83.05 against the U.S. currency in early trade on Thursday as the dollar retreated from high levels in global markets after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated three rate cuts this year.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened strong at 83.07 against the U.S. dollar compared to the previous close of 83.19. The local unit moved in a range of 83.08 to 83.04 in early deals.

The rupee traded at 83.05 to a dollar at 9.25 a.m., showing gains of 14 paise over the last close. It settled at a two-month low of 83.19 on Wednesday ahead of the announcement of U.S. Fed policy amid a strong American currency and elevated crude oil prices.

The Indian currency gained strength as the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated three rate cuts this year despite sticky inflation. The U.S. Fed kept its interest rates unchanged in the policy meeting on Wednesday.

The U.S. dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.20% lower at 103.22.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.63% to $86.49 per barrel, recovering from overnight losses.

On the domestic equity market front, Sensex advanced 538.01 points to 72,639.70 while the Nifty rose 162.90 points to 22,002.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Wednesday as they sold shares worth ₹2,599.19 crore, according to exchange data.

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty witnessed a volatile movement in early trade on Thursday, amid mixed trends in the global markets.

After opening on a sluggish note, Sensex turned positive and rose 7.58 points or 0.01% to 72,630.67 points. But the 30-share benchmark soon reversed the momentum and fell sharply by 381.94 points or 0.53% to 72,241.15 points.

The broader Nifty also showed some resistance initially but gave in to the selling pressure and declined 148.40 points or 0.67% to 21,906.65 points.

Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities, said Asian equities rose in a sign of fresh momentum in global equities after Nvidia Corp unveiled a better-than-expected revenue forecast.

Nvidia Corp’s solid results and outlook bolstered confidence in the artificial intelligence frenzy that has powered the stock market resurgence, he added.

On Wednesday, US stocks finished mostly higher while European shares ended on a mixed note.

Minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s January meeting showed most policymakers were concerned about the risks of cutting interest rates early.

On Wednesday, Sensex and Nifty snapped their six-day winning streak. While Sensex fell 434.31 points to close at 72,623.09 points, Nifty declined 141.90 points to end the day at 22,055.05 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers on Wednesday as they purchased securities worth ₹284.66 crore.