Rupee hits new 2-year low of 66.84 vs USD

Plunging to its fresh two-year low against the US dollar, the rupee today lost 11 paise at 66.84 on consistent demand for the American currency from banks and importers.

Extreme volatility in domestic equities as well as expectations that the Federal Reserve is on track to raise interest rates for the first time since 2006 predominantly impacted the rupee sentiment.

The robust US macro and jobs report cemented a Fed lift-off this month.

The domestic currency opened substantially lower at 66.85 per dollar from overnight closing level of 66.73 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange due to strong dollar demand in the wake of sustained foreign capital outflows.

However, the home currency recouped its early losses on fresh dollar selling and touched session's high of 66.71 before retreating back to conclude at a two-year low of 66.84, revealing a fall of 11 paise, or 0.16 per cent.

It had last ended at 67.07 on September 4, 2013.

On the global front, the US dollar traded marginally lower against the yen and the euro, but remained broadly stronger against the commodity linked currencies after Chinese exports fell for the fifth consecutive month added to fears over a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, eased 0.05 per cent to 98.69.

Meanwhile, financial markets across Asia plunged sharply reacting to a deepening global commodities rout after crude oil prices slumped to fresh six-year low on supply glut fears following news of OPEC's inability to agree on daily quota amid sluggish Chinese trade data.

The stock market flagship index Sensex tanked over 220 points to end at 25,310.33 - its lowest level in three-months, extending the slide to fifth session. 

Foreign investors continued their selling spree and sold shares worth Rs 65.04 crore yesterday, as per provisional data.

In forward market today, premium for dollar continued to decline due to sustained receivings from exporters.

The benchmark six-month premium payable in May eased to 198-200 paise compared to 199.5-201.5 paise yesterday and far forward November 2016 contract also fell to 404-406 paise from 406.5-408.5.

The RBI fixed the reference rate for the dollar at 66.7983 and for the euro at 72.5162.

The rupee rose further against the pound sterling to end at 100.26 from overnight level of 100.69.

However, the domestic currency fell back against the euro to settle at 72.56 from 72.24 and also retreated against the Japanese currency to close at 54.27 compared to 54.09 per 100 yen yesterday.