Representative image
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Image for representative purposes
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The rupee extended its slide for the second straight session and depreciated 9 paise to settle at a fresh all-time low of 85.20 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday (December 24, 2024). The rupee was dragged by a strong greenback against major crosses overseas and subdued domestic equities.

According to analysts, increased demand for the dollar due to month-end payment obligations and the fear of an aggressive import tariff by the Donald Trump administration in the U.S. strengthened the greenback.

“Besides, surging crude oil prices pushed the rupee down further,” they added.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 85.10 and touched the lowest ever level of 85.21 against the greenback during intra-day. The unit finally ended the session at a fresh all-time low of 85.20 (provisional) against the dollar, registering a loss of 9 paise from its previous close.

On Monday (December 23, 2024), the rupee settled 7 paise lower at 85.11 against the U.S. dollar.

Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said the rupee fell to a fresh all-time low on weak domestic markets and a strong U.S. dollar due to increased demand from importers and surging crude oil prices.

He said a hawkish tone of the U.S. Federal Reserve and an improved U.S. economy may further support the dollar.

“FII outflows may also weigh on the rupee. However, any intervention by the RBI may support the rupee at lower levels. USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of ₹85 to ₹85.40,” Mr. Choudhary said.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading higher by 0.11 % at 107.93, amid soaring U.S. Treasury yields and the fear of delayed interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.69% to $73.13 per barrel in futures trade.

In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex closed lower by 67.30 points, or 0.09%, at 78,472.87 points, while Nifty fell 25.80 points, or 0.11% to close at 23,727.65 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Monday (December 23, 2024), as they offloaded shares worth ₹168.71 crore, according to exchange data.

The rupee recovered from its lowest level of 84.46 to settle 4 paise higher at 84.42 against the U.S. dollar
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The rupee traded in an almost flat note and settled 1 paisa lower at 84.43 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday (November 19, 2024), as support from positive domestic equity markets and lower crude oil prices was negated by the strength of the American currency in the overseas market.

Forex traders said the Ukraine-Russia war took a new turn with Russia updating its nuclear doctrine and Ukraine aimed American missiles at Russia. Safe haven assets like Gold, JPY, CHF and to some extent dollar were bought and the rupee felt the heat and was sold at the closing hours.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.39 and stayed range-bound throughout the session. It finally settled at 84.43 (provisional) against the greenback, down 1 paisa from its previous close.

On Monday (November 18, 2024), the rupee recovered from its lowest level of 84.46 to settle 4 paise higher at 84.42 against the U.S. dollar.

Praveen Singh, Associate VP, Fundamental Currencies and Commodities, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said the USD-INR pair is likely to trade in this range in the near term until the U.S. yields break higher decisively. The 10-year U.S. yields face a crucial resistance at 4.50%.

“Traders will closely monitor the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. In addition, India’s PMIs data slated to be released on Friday (November 15, 2024) will also be on traders’ radar,” he added.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading higher by 0.15% at 106.35.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined by 0.42% to $72.99 per barrel in futures trade.

In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose 239.37 points, or 0.31%, to close at 77,578.38 points, while Nifty climbed 64.70 points, or 0.28%, to settle at 23,518.50 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Monday (November 18, 2024), as they offloaded shares worth ₹1,403.40 crore, according to exchange data.