On December 27, 2024, the local currency touched its lifetime intra-day low of 85.80 against the greenback. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Rupee depreciated four paise to close at a record low of 85.79 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Friday (January 3, 2025), as strong dollar demand from importers and a muted trend in domestic equities weighed on investors’ sentiments.

Forex traders said the dollar gained against most currencies during 2024 and continued to remain on a strong footing this year.

The U.S. dollar index breached the crucial 109-mark. The uptrend in the American currency was underpinned by expectations of fewer rate cuts and a view that the U.S. economy will continue to outperform its peers globally.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the Rupee opened on a weak note and sank to an intra-day low of 85.80 and its high of 85.73 against the American currency. “The local unit settled for the day at a record low of 85.79 (provisional), registering a fall of four paise over its previous close. Reports of RBI selling U.S. dollars supported the Rupee at lower levels,” traders said.

On Thursday (January 2, 2025), the Rupee depreciated 11 paise to close at a record low of 85.75 against the dollar. On December 27, 2024, the local currency touched its lifetime intra-day low of 85.80 against the greenback.

Traders said the market will keep its focus on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, which could boost growth but might also increase price pressures and this would keep the U.S. Fed on hold for longer on interest rate cuts.

“We expect the Rupee to trade with a negative bias on a strong U.S. dollar and demand for Dollar from importers. FII outflows may also put pressure on the Rupee. However, any further intervention by the RBI may support rupee at lower levels,” Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said. “USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of 85.60-86.00,” Mr. Choudhary added.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.33% lower at 109.03. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.43% to $75.60 per barrel in futures trade.

In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled at 720.60 points or 0.90%, down at 79,223.11 points, while the Nifty was lower by 183.90 points or 0.76% at 24,004.75 points.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased ₹1,506.75 crore in the capital markets on a net basis on Thursday (January 2, 2025,) according to exchange data.

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| Photo Credit: istock.com

The rupee fell 2 paise to 83.81 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Tuesday (October 1, 2024), tracking massive outflow of foreign funds amid volatile global markets.

Forex traders said a strengthening American currency weighed down the Indian unit against major rivals, though retreating crude oil prices and recovery in domestic equity markets resisted a steep fall in the rupee.

They said monetary and fiscal stimulus announced by China triggered the withdrawal of foreign funds as investors preferred better-performing Chinese markets.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the local unit opened at 83.81 against the greenback, registering a loss of 2 paise from its previous closing level.

On Monday (September 30), the rupee settled 10 paise lower at 83.79 against the American currency.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.02% to 100.54.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, declined 0.29% to 71.77 in futures trade.

On the domestic equity market front, the Sensex climbed 251.03 points or 0.30% to 84,550.81, while the Nifty rose 63.40 points or 0.25% to 25,874.25. Both the indices tumbled nearly 1.5% on Monday (September 30).

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Monday (September 30), offloading shares worth ₹9,791.93 crore, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, official data released on Monday (September 30) showed that the government’s fiscal deficit — the gap between expenditure and revenue — at the end of the first five months of the current financial year touched 27% of the full-year target.

Also, the Reserve Bank data released on Monday (September 30) showed the country’s current account deficit widened marginally to $9.7 billion or 1.1% of GDP in April-June 2024, as against $8.9 billion or 1% in the year-ago period.