Apr 20 The rupee pared its initial gains and settled with a loss of 19 paise at 93.10 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, after fresh tension in West Asia led to an increased demand for the American currency and kept crude prices steady.
Forex traders said the local currency remained under pressure due to a fresh standoff between the US and Iran that led to a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global supply.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 92.73 and touched an intra-day high of 92.70 against the greenback. It also hit the day's low of 93.24 during the session before settling at 93.10 (provisional) against the dollar, registering a loss of 19 paise from the previous closing level.
The rupee strengthened 28 paise to settle at 92.91 against the US dollar on Friday, a day after gaining 19 paise in the preceding session on Thursday.
Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said the rupee fell on a strong dollar and a surge in crude oil prices as global risk sentiments deteriorated after Iran said it closed the Strait of Hormuz again.
Choudhary said the rupee is expected to trade with a negative bias on renewed geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. "However, the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon may support the rupee at lower levels. USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of Rs 93 to Rs 93.60." Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.14 per cent to 98.03.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 4.64 per cent down at USD 94.57 per barrel in futures trade.
ALSO READ | FMCG Q4 Preview: Demand Holds Steady As Cost Pressures Return
Analysts said the crude price bounced back from below the USD 90-a-barrel level reached on Friday, as the geopolitical situation turned volatile after a fresh standoff between the US and Iran prevented ships from crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Domestic equity markets stayed almost flat, with the 30-share Sensex ending 26.76 points, or 0.03 per cent, up at 78,520.30, while the Nifty inching up 11.30 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 24,364.85.
Foreign Institutional Investors bought equities worth Rs 683.20 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. PTI HVA TRB
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
