Rupee gains 6 paise to close near five-month high of 72.99 against U.S. dollar

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, slipped 0.31% to 90.19.

At the interbank forex market, the rupee opened higher at 72.96 and touched the day's high of 72.93 against the greenback before shedding some gains towards the fag-end of the session.

Extending its gains for the third straight session, the Indian rupee added another 6 paise to settle at a near five-month high of 72.99 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, tracking a weaker American currency overseas and sustained foreign fund inflows.

At the interbank forex market, the rupee opened higher at 72.96 and touched the day's high of 72.93 against the greenback before shedding some gains towards the fag-end of the session.

It finally closed higher by 6 paise at 72.99 to the dollar, a level not seen since September 1, 2020.

On Wednesday, the rupee had settled at 73.05 against the American currency.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, slipped 0.31% to 90.19.

On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex declined 167.36 points or 0.34% to end at 49,624.76; while the NSE Nifty slipped 54.35 points or 0.37% at 14,590.35.

Foreign institutional investors remained net buyers in the capital market as they purchased shares worth ₹2,289.05 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, dropped 0.87% to $55.59 per barrel.