Westpac says rupee likely to enjoy positive start to 2013

Westpac says the rupee could enjoy a positive start to 2013 as the recent rebound in factory output, PMI data, along with equity market resilience is pointing towards a better growth environment for India through first half of 2013.

Westpac says the rupee could enjoy a positive start to 2013 as the recent rebound in factory output, PMI data, along with equity market resilience is pointing towards a better growth environment for India through first half of 2013.

"Combined with a likely RBI rate cut in the early part of Q1 and we suspect the market will feel more comfortable in a rebound in growth," says Westpac in a note.

Any rate cut will encourage further capital inflows, and will provide positive back drop for dollar/rupee view of 53.8 for end March, the note says.

January has been a historically much better month for Asian currencies compared with May, June and August, says Westpac. In fact, historical data shows the rupee has the best mean return for January (0.83 per cent), followed by THB (Thai baht) and IDR (Indonesian rupiah).

The RBI is unlikely to curb any rupee strength unlike other Asian peers. Any jump in dollar/rupee between now and end of the year can be viewed as an opportunity to sell, it says.

Copyright @ Thomson Reuters 2012

lock-gif
Register for Free
to continue reading
Sign Up with Google
OR
Watch LIVE TV, Get Stock Market Updates, Top Business, IPO and Latest News on NDTV Profit. Feel free to Add NDTV Profit as trusted source on Google.
GET REGULAR UPDATES
Add us to your Preferences
Set as your preferred source on Google
Google Badge