Rupee falls 12 paise to close at 82.33 against US dollar
New Delhi, Oct 12: The rupee fell by 12 paise to close at 82.33 against the US dollar on Wednesday due to sustained foreign fund outflows and a stronger dollar in the overseas markets.
Besides, risk aversion sentiment among investors ahead of the release of US Fed minutes and inflation data weighed on the local unit.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened lower at 82.32 and later fell further to 82.3750 against the American currency. It recovered some ground to close at 82.33, registering a decline of 12 paise over its previous close.
On Tuesday, the rupee rebounded from its all-time low to close 19 paise higher at 82.21 against the US dollar.
"In line with the dollar index, the rupee marked another steady day. So far this week, the rupee has been trading in a narrow range and closing near 82.32," said Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities.
Parmar said a rebound in the domestic equities and the central bank's intervention ahead of the crucial retail inflation release supported the rupee on Wednesday.
In the near-term, spot USD/INR is expected to trade in the range of 82.10 to 82.80, Parmar noted.
Traders said investors remained cautious ahead of the release of key domestic macro data.
"Rupee traded in a narrow range in the last couple of sessions as investors remain cautious ahead of inflation numbers," Motilal Oswal Financial Services said, adding that the central bank is yet to get surging inflation under control and will need to press forward with tightening monetary policy.
"Focus will be on the FOMC meeting minutes and hawkish comments are likely to strengthen the greenback.
According to Praveen Singh, AVP- Fundamental currencies and Commodities analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, "The domestic currency is trading with a loss of 0.10 per cent in the spot market as the traders await India's inflation and industrial production data."
On Thursday's US CPI data will be of prime importance for the financial markets, though barring a big miss the US Dollar is expected to be well bid.
In twin blows to Indian economic revival, higher food prices drove retail inflation to a five-month high of 7.4 per cent while factory output fell for the first time in 18 months.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, declined 0.01 per cent to 113.21.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.39 per cent to USD 94.66 per barrel.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 478.59 points or 0.84 per cent to end at 57,625.91, while the broader NSE Nifty rose 140.05 points or 0.82 per cent to 17,123.60.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets as they offloaded shares worth Rs 542.36 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
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MVA to keep all its newly-elected MLAs under one roof after poll results: Sanjay Raut
Mumbai (PTI): The Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents have decided to house all its newly-elected MLAs together in Mumbai after the Maharashtra election results, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Friday, a move aimed at preventing poaching ahead of government formation.
Talking to reporters here, Raut said MVA leaders, including himself, his party colleague Anil Desai, NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil and Congress leaders Satej Patil and Balasaheb Thorat met on Thursday and carried out an assessment of every seat.
"We have decided to bring all newly-elected MLAs to Mumbai. New MLAs have no provision to stay in Mumbai. So we have decided to make their residential arrangements together," he said.
The counting of votes for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls will take place on Saturday.
Raut expressed confidence that the MVA would win 160 seats in the elections.
Some independents, who have strong chances of victory, have expressed their desire to support the opposition bloc, the Rajya Sabha member said.
"There is no formula for the CM's post. Everyone will choose the leader of the government," Raut said.
Senior Congress leaders have to come to Mumbai with a mandate on the CM's post as NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray are in Mumbai.
He also asserted that no power can stop the MVA from forming the next government in Maharashtra and that the decision on the top post will be taken only in Maharashtra.
Fissures have emerged within the opposition MVA as well as the ruling Mahayuti on who will head the next government with constituents in both camps laying claim over the chief minister's post. While state Congress chief Nana Patole asserted that a MVA government will be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of his party, Raut on Thursday insisted the CM face will be decided by all alliance partners jointly.
Raut expressed fear that the BJP will try to obstruct the MVA through the governor's office in forming the government despite the opposition having the majority.
"We will take a decision without any delay, or else BJP will try to snatch power ruthlessly," hesaid.
The term of the Maharashtra legislative assembly ends on November 26. The opposition fears that President's rule could be imposed in the state if a new government is not formed till then.
