New Delhi: The rupee strengthened for the second consecutive session and appreciated by 27 paise, registering the highest single-day gain in nearly two months, to close at 82.72 against the US dollar on Wednesday.
Forex traders said IPO-driven inflows and positive tone in the domestic markets supported the upward move. Softening of crude oil prices also aided the domestic unit.
However, a strong US dollar capped sharp gains.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.02 against the US dollar and moved in a range of 82.68 to 83.02 in the day trade.
The rupee finally settled 27 paise higher at 82.72 against the previous close. Earlier, the Indian currency had witnessed the highest single-day gain of 35 paise on June 16 this year.
On Tuesday, the rupee had recovered from its all-time low levels and settled higher by 14 paise at 82.99 against the US dollar.
“We do not see any sharp appreciation in the rupee as dismal economic data from Europe may lead to a risk averse market which may weigh on riskier currencies,” said Anuj Choudhary – Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.
In that case, the US dollar would gain. Any further inflows due to the upcoming IPOs may also support rupee. However, a strong dollar and hawkish comments from US Federal officials may support the greenback which may put downside pressure on rupee, Choudhary said.
“Trades may watch out for PMI numbers from the US, while investors may remain cautious ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium on Friday. The USDINR spot price is expected to trade in a range of Rs 82.40 to Rs 83.20,” Choudhary added.
Gaurang Somaiya, Forex and Bullion Analyst at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, stated that the rupee strengthened sharply on some sources suggesting that the RBI has asked banks to stop taking fresh arbitrage positions in the NDF market.
“Suspected dollar selling triggered a move for the rupee. The move has come ahead of the Jackson Hole symposium that is scheduled later this week. We expect that volatility within a broader range is likely to continue in the next few sessions.”
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.34 per cent to 103.91.
Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.11 per cent to USD 83.10 per barrel.
On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex closed 213.27 points or 0.33 per cent higher at 65,433.30. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 47.55 points or 0.25 per cent to 19,444.00.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned net buyers in equities on Wednesday as they purchased shares worth Rs 617 crore, according to exchange data.
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