Re falls 1ps to 83.04/$

Mumbai: The rupee settled on a flat note with a loss of just one paisa at 83.04 against the dollar on Thursday on the back of strengthening American currency and sharp rise in crude oil prices. The domestic currency broke its six-day gaining streak despite positive equity market sentiment, as foreign funds outflow dented sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.05 and traded between the peak of 82.93 and the lowest level of 83.08 against the greenback during the intra-day deals. It finally settled at 83.04 against the dollar, down by just one paisa over its previous closing level.

“The Indian rupee is trading flat. It opened on a positive note on weak Dollar and positive domestic markets. However, it lost its initial gains on some FII outflows and a slight recovery in crude oil prices. The US dollar declined on Wednesday as traders trimmed their positions ahead of inflation data,” said Anuj Choudhary Research Analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

Investors are awaiting US inflation data to be released later in the day for further cues, forex analysts said, adding that traders will also closely monitor the domestic inflation numbers to be released on Friday. “We expect the rupee to trade with a slight positive bias on the soft US Dollar and positive Asian currencies. However, recent FII outflows and recovery in crude oil prices may cap sharp gains. Concerns over global economic slowdown and the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea and Middle East may also weigh on Rupee. Investors may remain cautious ahead of inflation data US and CPI and IIP data from and India on Friday Choudhary said.