INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Mumbai: The rupee retreated from early high levels to close down with a modest loss of 2 paise at 68.86 against the US currency on stray
dollar demand from importers.The rupee initially reacted positively to the GST Council's decision to cut rates on several items and also
Consistent unwinding by foreign investors on growing expectations of Fed rate hike kept home currency under pressure, a dealer said.Overall,
forex sentiment remained fragile in the face macro challenges coupled with tense trade relations between the US and major economies and
expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates further this year.The rupee had hit its life-time low of 69.13 a dollar last
Friday.Oil prices too inched up on Monday after tensions worsened between Iran and the US
The Brent crude rising 66 cents to $73.73 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate gaining 27 cents to $68.53 per barrel.Foreign investors
remained net investors in stock markets as they bought equities worth Rs 259 crore on a net basis on Monday.Domestic bourses maintained
their bullish momentum for the second-straight session with the flagship BSE Sensex ending at a historic closing high driven by optimistic
corporate earnings as well as strong buying from investors.The rupee resumed higher at 68.70 against weekend close of 68.84 at the Interbank
Foreign Exchange (forex) market on increased selling of the American currency by exporters and banks.It extended gains to hit a session high
of 68.65, but the upside attempts fizzled out quickly following fresh dollar demand
The local currency dropped to a low of 68.87 before settling at 68.86, showing a loss of 2 paise.The bond market also witnessed fresh
selling and the 10-year benchmark yield end at higher at 7.81 per cent.In the cross currency trade, the rupee continued to lose ground
against the pound sterling to finish at 90.50 per pound from 89.80 and dropped against the euro to end at 80.68 as compared to 80.25.It also
slumped further against the Japanse yen to close at 62.00 per 100 yens from 61.26 earlier.In forward market on Monday, the premium for
dollar displayed lacklustre trading activity owing to lack of market moving factors
The benchmark six-month forward premium payable in November softened to 103-105 paise from 103.25-105.25 paise, while the far-forward May
2019 contract inched up to 252-50-254.50 paise from 252-254 paise.
