Rupee Flat Up 1ps To 84.85/$

Mumbai: The rupee settled for the day on a flat note higher by just 1paisa at 84.85 against the US dollar on Tuesday, a tad above its all-time low level, as change of guard at the Reserve Bank of India raised expectations of a shift in the central bank’s monetary policy.

The government on Monday appointed Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Forex traders said markets now expect a rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy in February. While a weak tone in the domestic markets and a surge in the US dollar index further pressurised the rupee.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.80 and touched the lowest level of 84.86 against the greenback during intra-day trade. The unit ended the session at 84.85 against the dollar, higher by just 1paisa from its previous close. On Monday, the rupee saw its steepest fall in over a month and plunged 20 paise to settle at lowest-ever level of 84.86 against the US dollar.

“We expect the rupee to trade with a negative bias on strength in the US dollar and overnight gains in crude oil prices. However, recent FII inflows may support the rupee at lower levels,” said Anuj Choudhary – Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan.