The rupee on Tuesday touched a two-week low of 56.13 but recovered some of the losses to close three paise down at 55.96 against the dollar amid foreign fund outflows and demand of the U.S. currency from importers.
After closing at 55.93 on Monday, the rupee on Tuesday resumed slightly better at 55.90 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market. However, rupee soon touched a low of 56.13 on erratic movements in stocks and dollar selling by exporters.
Brokers said dollar demand from importers rose after crude oil in Asia fell below the USD 83 mark.
But, a late rise in domestic equities with Sensex rising 154 points and weak dollar trend in overseas markets helped rupee to rebound to touch 55.88 before concluding at 55.96, a fall of three paise over Monday’s close.
After injecting USD 393.64 million in straight eight days since June 6 by foreign funds in equities, today (Tuesday) FIIs sold shares worth around USD 16.7 million as per NSE data.
Talking about the rupee, RBI Governor D. Subbarao said: “Rupee depreciation from March till today is due to both global and domestic factors. Exports not going up while increase in imports and gold import are some factors behind such depreciation.”
Since early March, rupee has depreciated over 15 per cent and had touched an all-time low of 56.52 hit against the dollar on May 31.
