Rupee falls from 4-month high

The Indian rupee came off from four-month intra day high of 60.84 registered on Monday and closed down by 71 paise to end the week at a two-week low of 62.12 against the Greenback in line with fall in local equities and fresh dollar demand from importers amid weak macro-economic data, snapping three-week winning spree.

Sustained capital inflows, however, could not stem the rupee fall, a forex dealer said.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic currency resumed the week strong and touched an intra-day four-month high of 60.84 - a level not seen since August 12, 2013 when it had logged a high of 60.45 - following firm local equities after BJP won three out of four state Assembly elections.

Investors welcomed the party open heartedly, expecting them to win the next general elections to be held in May next year and widely seen as more stable and business friendly.

Later, renewed fears of the US Federal Reserve tapering its stimulus programme earlier than expected, a firm dollar overseas and sluggish domestic stocks weighed on the rupee and it fell back to a low of 62.28 before settling the week at 62.12, showing a fall of 71 paise or 1.16 per cent. In last three weeks in a row, it had spurted by 170 paise or 2.69 per cent.

Rating agency Fitch on Tuesday said the setback faced by Congress in state elections could potentially raise political pressure on the government’s near-term fiscal goals. It could mean an increasing likelihood of political pressure to limit expenditure cut-backs.

The benchmark BSE S&P Sensex plunged by 280.95 points or 1.34 per cent during the week while FIIs injected USD 821 million on the first four days of the week, as per Sebi data. 

Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO, Alpari Financial Services (India) said, "To start the week, the rupee rose to four month high, but soon fell back to post first weekly loss in four weeks. The disappointing IIP data further depreciated the rupee. The trading range for the USD/INR pair for the week is expected to be within 61.50 to 63.50.”

The rupee premium for the forward dollar ended mixed on alternate bouts of buying and selling.