Rupee resumes slide as oil demand continues to hurt
World shares retreated from 17-month highs and commodities fell on Thursday as talks to avert a US fiscal crisis stalled, reigniting fears over the health of the world’s largest economy.
Traders said oil firms, the largest buyers of dollars in the domestic currency market, continued to buy the greenback to meet month-end and year-end demand, especially amid slightly lower global crude prices.
“I think once the fiscal cliff issue is resolved, which may happen by year-end, the rupee is likely to move towar ds53-52.50,” said Samir Lodha, managing director at QuantArt Market Solutions.
“The January monetary policy will also be key. I am assuming a 25-50 bps rate cut which should help the rupee appreciate as there are likely to be inflows into the equity market and the presence of a more stable environment,” he added.
The Reserve Bank of India kept interest rates on hold on Tuesday, ignoring government pressure to reduce borrowing costs, but said it was shifting its focus towards boosting a flagging economy, raising the odds of a rate cut as early as January. Foreign investors have purchased shares worth more than $22.5 billion so far in 2012 but the rupee is down 3.2% so far this year.
Lodha said a lack of confidence in the Indian currency and economy has prompted foreign investors coming into the country
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