Crude shock: Re hits record low of Rs. 78.85/USD

Mumbai: The rupee plunged by 48 paise to close at record low of 78.85 against the US dollar on Tuesday, weighed down by persistent foreign capital outflows and a surge in crude oil prices.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened lower at 78.53 against the greenback and finally settled at 78.85, down 48 paise over its previous close. During the session, the rupee touched an all-time low of 78.8550 against the American currency. "The Indian rupee touched an all-time low against the US Dollar amid weak domestic equities and a surge in crude oil prices. Sustained selling by foreign investors also put downside pressure on Rupee," said Anuj Choudhary, research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

The rupee is expected to trade on a negative note on risk aversion in domestic markets and continued selling pressure from foreign institutional investors (FIIs). Elevated oil prices may also weigh on the domestic currency, Choudhary said.

"The Indian rupee touched an all-time low of 78.85 against the US Dollar amid dull capital market participation along with FII's outflows in the recent past. A sharp surge in crude oil prices from $105 to $114 also supplied the pressure on rupee skidding down. High demand from the US and relaxation of restrictions in China could further fuel oil prices on the higher incline and act as a major headwind for the domestic currency," said Jateen Trivedi, V-P (research analyst) at LKP Securities. Trivedi further said that sustained selling by foreign investors and FED's hawkish tone has made the rupee fall by 100 paise in a matter of six trading days.

"Further weakness can continue if Crude prices resist falling," he noted. According to Sugandha Sachdeva, v-p (commodity and currency research), Religare Broking the Indian rupee plummeted to fresh lows, depreciating by around half a per cent against the dollar owing to a muted trend in domestic equities, and strong gains in crude oil prices.