<p> The rupee appreciated 15 paise to 74.59 against the US dollar in opening trade on Wednesday tracking positive Asian currencies and improvement in investors’ risk appetite.</p>.<p>At the interbank forex market, the domestic unit opened at 74.61 against US dollar, gained further ground and touched 74.59 against the US dollar, registering a gain of 15 paise over its previous close.</p>.<p>It had settled at 74.74 against the US dollar on Tuesday.</p>.<p>"Asian currencies were stronger against the US dollar this morning and could lift sentiments for the local unit," Reliance Securities said in a research note, adding that "the currency could also be supported by more stimulus measures to mitigate the economic blow from the pandemic".</p>.<p>Moreover, hopes of Covid-19 vaccine also improved sentiments.</p>.<p>Several scientists in India and abroad said that the coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca shows promise as it can generate both antibodies and cell-mediated immune responses.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.02 per cent to 95.13.</p>.<p>On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex was trading 62.63 points lower at 37,867.70 and broader NSE Nifty fell 14.90 points to 11,147.35.</p>.<p>Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in the capital market as they purchased shares worth Rs 2,265.88 crore on Tuesday, according to provisional exchange data.</p>.<p>Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, slipped 0.50 per cent to USD 44.10 per barrel.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the number of cases around the world linked to Covid-19 has crossed 1.49 crore and the death toll has topped 6.16 lakh.</p>.<p>In India, the death toll due the disease rose to 28,732 and the number of infections has touched 11,92,915, according to the health ministry. </p>
<p> The rupee appreciated 15 paise to 74.59 against the US dollar in opening trade on Wednesday tracking positive Asian currencies and improvement in investors’ risk appetite.</p>.<p>At the interbank forex market, the domestic unit opened at 74.61 against US dollar, gained further ground and touched 74.59 against the US dollar, registering a gain of 15 paise over its previous close.</p>.<p>It had settled at 74.74 against the US dollar on Tuesday.</p>.<p>"Asian currencies were stronger against the US dollar this morning and could lift sentiments for the local unit," Reliance Securities said in a research note, adding that "the currency could also be supported by more stimulus measures to mitigate the economic blow from the pandemic".</p>.<p>Moreover, hopes of Covid-19 vaccine also improved sentiments.</p>.<p>Several scientists in India and abroad said that the coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca shows promise as it can generate both antibodies and cell-mediated immune responses.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.02 per cent to 95.13.</p>.<p>On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex was trading 62.63 points lower at 37,867.70 and broader NSE Nifty fell 14.90 points to 11,147.35.</p>.<p>Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in the capital market as they purchased shares worth Rs 2,265.88 crore on Tuesday, according to provisional exchange data.</p>.<p>Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, slipped 0.50 per cent to USD 44.10 per barrel.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the number of cases around the world linked to Covid-19 has crossed 1.49 crore and the death toll has topped 6.16 lakh.</p>.<p>In India, the death toll due the disease rose to 28,732 and the number of infections has touched 11,92,915, according to the health ministry. </p>