Rupee clocks best single-day gain in 2 mths

Mumbai: The rupee appreciated by 33 paise to close at 82.42 against the US dollar on Thursday, as positive macroeconomic data strengthened investor sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.54 against the US dollar and settled at 82.42 (provisional), up 33 paise over its previous close amid sustained foreign fund inflows. During the day, the domestic unit witnessed an intra-day high of 82.36 and a low of 82.54. On Wednesday, the rupee closed at 82.75 against the US currency.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.20 per cent to 104.12. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures advanced 0.17 per cent to $72.72 per barrel. “The Indian rupee strengthened amid stellar economic data and foreign fund inflows. It has clocked the best single-day gain in almost two months following dollar inflows and lower commodity prices,” Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities said.