Rupee nosedives 20ps to settle at 83.49/$

The rupee paired all its early gains and settled with a steep loss of 20paise at 83.49 against the US dollar on Friday amid volatile domestic equity markets and unabated outflow of foreign funds. Forex traders said increased month-end demand of greenback by oil marketing companies also weighed on the Indian currency even as it found some support due to lower level of crude oil prices. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.25 and oscillated between the intra-day high of 83.23 and lowest level of 83.49 during the session. It finally settled at 83.49, registering a loss of 20paise from its previous closing level.

On Thursday, the rupee gained 11paise to close at 83.29 against the US dollar. Anuj Choudhary Research Analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said the rupee depreciated on month-end dollar demand from oil marketing companies and importers. “We expect rupee to trade with a slight negative bias on overall strength in the US dollar amid safe haven demand on the back of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. “Volatility in the domestic markets amid uncertainty over election results may also put downside pressure on the rupee. However, positive tone in global markets today may support the rupee at lower levels,” Choudhary said.

Traders are expected to take cues from the upcoming domestic GDP data and fiscal deficit numbers and personal consumption expenditure price index from the US. “USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of Rs83.10 to Rs83.70,” Choudhary said. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.02 per cent lower at 104.64.

According to analysts, US dollar declined after the latest US GDP data released on Thursday showed the world’s largest economy grew at a slower pace of 1.3 per cent against the projected 1.6 per cent in the January-March quarter.