India Rupee Slips As Strong US Data Lifts Dollar

The Indian rupee little changed at 69.04 pair now at 69.17 against 68.92 previous close.
Pair to tip in 68.90-69.30 range today.
The Indian rupee fell against the dollar in early trade, after weekly U.S. jobless claims dropped to a 50-year low, while producer prices in the world’s largest economy increased more than expected, lifting demand for the dollar. Rise in dollar following upbeat data weighed on the Indian rupee, while importers demand for the greenback will also keep the local unit under pressure. Sporadic dollar inflows in local assets will be watched for further cues. Still, intervention by the central bank will keep gains in check.

The dollar held firm on Friday after strong U.S. labour and inflation data soothed concerns about the world's largest economy, while falling oil prices weighed on commodity-linked currencies such as the Canadian and Australian dollars. The index was headed for a weekly loss of 0.25 percent, having stumbled at the start of the week as Treasury yields fell in the wake of a mixed March U.S. non-farm jobs report.
The dollar had sagged on Wednesday after a mixed report on domestic consumer prices reinforced the notion that underlying U.S. inflation remains tame. pound was steady at $1.3053 GBP=D3 after dipping 0.25 percent the previous day against the broadly firmer dollar.

Oil prices were firm on Friday, supported by ongoing supply cuts led by producer club OPEC and by U.S. sanctions on petroleum exporters Iran and Venezuela. Brent crude oil were at $71.01 per barrel.
Gold was little changed on Friday, having declined the most in two weeks in the previous session after strong U.S. economic data, but the metal's losses were limited by falls in the dollar and Asian equities. Gold was flat at $1,291.93 per ounce.

Research