Rupee might rise, bond yields could plummet

The rupee is expected to strengthen this week, as month-end and financial year-end dollar demand from importers comes to an end. Government bond yields, on the other hand, might continue to fall, as profit booking from traders ahead of the financial year-end comes to an end.

On Friday, the rupee completed a second week of gains on optimism that India's improving economic outlook will attract more foreign inflows. This week, there would be a bank holiday on Thursday for Mahavir Jayanti and then on Friday for Good Friday.

"The rupee might trade in the range of 62.40 and 63. The bias is towards appreciation," said the head of treasury at a public sector bank.

On Friday, the rupee ended at 62.42 to a dollar, compared with the previous close of 62.67.

Oil prices fell more than $1 a barrel on Friday, as worries receded over the threat of disruptions to West Asian supplies due to Saudi Arabia-led air strikes in Yemen.

"The yield on the 10-year bond could move two basis points in either side from current levels. The yield will trade range bound this week," said a bond trader with a private bank.

The yield ended at 7.78 per cent on Friday, compared with the previous close of 7.80 per cent.