Moreover, elevated global crude oil prices and selling pressure from foreign investors also weighed on the local unit, they said, adding that the domestic markets are falling on risk aversion in the global markets amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit witnessed heavy volatility. It opened at 86.42 against the greenback and touched an intra-day high of 86.25 and a low of 86.57 against the greenback during the day.
At the end of Wednesday’s trading session, the local unit was at 86.43, down 9 paise over its previous closing price.
On Tuesday, the rupee declined 30 paise to close at 86.34 against the greenback.
“We expect the rupee to trade with a negative bias on risk aversion in the global markets and worries over rising crude oil prices. Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East may weigh on the rupee.
“However, any de-escalation of tensions may see a recovery in the global risk assets. Traders may take cues from weekly unemployment claims data from the US. Traders may also await the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting outcome. The US Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged. USDINR spot price is expected to trade in a range of 86.15 to 86.90,” said Anuj Choudhary – Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
According to Dilip Parmar, Senior Research Analyst, HDFC Securities, the rupee depreciated for the second consecutive day, primarily due to prevailing risk-averse market sentiment and anticipated dollar outflows, which are fuelled by ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
“The negative carry return is also contributing to the rupee’s downward pressure,” he said and added that the spot USD-INR pair is expected to find support around 85.90, while encountering resistance at the 86.70 level.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading lower by 0.17 per cent at 98.65.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.86 per cent to USD 75.79 per barrel in futures trade.
In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex declined 138.64 points, or 0.17 per cent, to close at 81,444.66, while the Nifty fell 41.35 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 24,812.05.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased equities worth Rs 890.93 crore on a net basis on Wednesday, according to exchange data. PTI DRR HVA
