The Indian rupee hovered around 94.2 per dollar, extending gains to a six-week high as improving capital flows lifted investor sentiment. Market participants reported an improvement in foreign-exchange flows, with increased investment into Indian bonds and a slowdown in foreign equity outflows helping strengthen demand for the local currency. This marks a shift from the one-sided dollar demand that had pressured the rupee in recent weeks. The decline in crude oil prices following easing geopolitical tensions has reduced pressure on India’s import bill. Interbank market sentiment has also improved, with traders becoming more willing to take positions on both sides of the market rather than consistently buying dollars on dips, reflecting increased confidence in the rupee. However, the rupee’s gains remain challenged by a stronger dollar, with expectations of tighter Federal Reserve policy boosting demand for the greenback amid persistent inflation concerns.
