Business Standard

Rupee headed for biggest loss in 2 weeks

Geopolitical tensions in Ukraine, China PMI weigh

<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-95113372/stock-photo-a-pile-of-notes-and-coins-in-indian-currency.html" target="_blank">Currency</a> image via Shutterstock

Reuters
The rupee is down 0.4%, headed for its biggest loss in nearly two weeks. Rupee was at 62.00/01 versus Friday's close of 61.75/76. Local stocks ended down 0.8%, snapping a five-day winning streak.

All-round dollar buying seen on risk aversion.

India is ready to pay $1.5 billion to Iran to clear part of a backlog of payments for shipments of oil following the partial easing of western sanctions on Tehran, Oil Secretary Vivek Rae said on Tuesday.

Global risk aversion on geopolitical tensions in Ukraine is weighing on most Asian currencies. China manufacturing PMI, which hit a seven-month low is further hurting the risk sentiment.
 
December GDP that came in at a below expected 4.7% is also a drag.

But the rupee found some support as manufacturing activity and new orders showed their strongest growth in a year in February, according to a survey released on Monday that suggested that the worst is over for Indian factories struggling through an economic slowdown.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Mar 03 2014 | 3:45 PM IST

Explore News