Weakness in domestic equities, high crude oil prices and forex outflows also weighed on the Indian currency
Weakness in domestic equities, high crude oil prices and forex outflows also weighed on the Indian currency
The rupee declined 17 paise to close at its all-time low of 77.71 against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday as surging U.S. bond yields dampened the appeal of riskier assets.
Losses in domestic equities, high crude oil prices and forex outflows also weighed on the rupee.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened lower at 77.65 against the greenback and finally settled at 77.71, down 17 paise over its previous close.
During the session, the rupee touched an intraday low of 77.71 and a high of 77.62. On Monday, the rupee settled at 77.54 against the U.S. dollar.
This is the fifth straight monthly decline for the rupee amid weak risk sentiment, foreign fund outflows and concerns over high inflation.
The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.5% higher at 101.92.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures advanced 1.77% to $123.82 per barrel.
According to Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities, the rupee has become the worst-performing currency among Asian currencies and clocked the fifth monthly decline in a row in May on the back of foreign fund outflows and slower economic growth.
“Risk sentiments remained weak on worries over hawkish central banks following higher inflation and slower growth prospects,” Mr. Parmar said.
U.S. Treasury yields surged on Tuesday following a Federal Reserve Governor’s comments that the central bank should be prepared to raise interest rates by 50 basis points at every meeting on until inflation is decisively controlled.
“Rupee traded weak as crude prices rise towards $120 in WTI making it more expensive for India to import,” Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst at LKP Securities, said.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 359.33 points or 0.64% lower at 55,566.41, while the broader NSE Nifty fell 76.85 points or 0.46% to 16,584.55.
In hectic FII movement in the equities markets, foreign institutional investors sold shares worth ₹46,741.52 crore while purchased stocks worth ₹45,737.96 crore, leading to net outflow of ₹ 1,003.51 crore on Tuesday, according to stock exchange data.
“The pressure on the rupee continues unabated due to the strength of the dollar, the exit by FIIs from the domestic market, and the worsening of the trade balance,” a report by Emkay Wealth Management stated.
While the RBI may have nothing against a gradual depreciation of the currency; a sudden depreciation amounting to a speculative attack will be contained by the central bank, Emkay noted.
“A revival in macroeconomic conditions, a return of the overseas funds, and an improvement in global trade conditions are required for a revival in the fortunes of the rupee,” it said.
Meanwhile, official data released on Tuesday showed that the Indian economy grew at its slowest pace in a year during January-March, pulling down GDP growth in the full fiscal 2021-22 to 8.7% as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine added a new inflation hurdle to the recovery.
The gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 4.1% in the final quarter of 2021-22, according to data released by the Statistics Ministry.
Also, production growth of eight infrastructure sectors rose to a six-month high of 8.4% in April on the back of better performance by coal, refinery products and electricity segments and a low base in the year-ago month.
