The Indian rupee closed strong against the U.S. dollar on Thursday amid the weakening of dollar index after the U.S. Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady.
The Federal Open Market Committee decided to hold its key interest rate at 5.25-5.5% in November in a unanimous decision, according to its statement on Wednesday night. It kept the door open for another hike this year to cool inflation.
The local currency strengthened 4 paise to close at Rs 83.25 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, after opening at Rs 83.23. It closed at an all-time weakest level of Rs 83.29 against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg data.
"Positive bias lingered on yesterday testing 83.3, the upper boundary for our intermediate range," Geojit Financial Services said in a note. "Breakout range continues to be 83.4-83 a breach of which is required to bring in speed."
"Inability to push beyond 83.4 or inability to float above 83.26 could render the bias weak", it said.
'Rejecting A Recession Adds To Hawkish Tone'
"Fed Chair Jerome Powell insisted the Fed could still hike after a long pause. Rejecting a recession adds to the hawkish tone," Kunal Sodhani, vice president, Shinhan Bank (Global Trading Centre), said.
"Markets will be turning towards Friday's US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) print. BoE rates to remain unchanged. For USDINR, 83.15 acts as a support while 83.32 a resistance," Sodhani said.
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