)
Erasing its initial losses, rupee today closed two paise higher at 59.68 against the dollar on some strength in local equities and selling of the US currency by exporters. A weak dollar overseas also helped the rupee to land in positive terrain at the end while FII outflows of about Rs 1,285 crore capped the rise, forex traders said.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic unit resumed better at 59.64 a dollar from overnight close of 59.68, also its all-time closing low.
The rupee moved in a range of 59.45 and 59.79 before settling the day at 59.68, showing a rise of two paise.
Treasury managers said talks of RBI trying to defend the rupee whenever it approaches 60-levels helped the local currency today.
Yesterday, it had fallen by 41 paise or 0.69 per cent. The Indian benchmark S&P BSE Sensex today closed up by 88.26 points in choppy trade.
Bonds end mixed
Government securities (G-sec) ended mixed on alternate bouts of buying and selling. The 8.33 per cent G-sec maturing in 2026 firmed up to Rs 105.22 from Rs 105.20 yesterday, while its yield held steady at 7.69 per cent. The 8.20 per cent G-sec maturing in 2025 moved up to Rs 103.98 from Rs 102.92, while its yield also remained stable at 7.69.
The 8.07 per cent G-sec maturing in 2017 gained to Rs 101.36 from Rs 101.34, while its yield inched down to 7.67 per cent from 7.68 per cent.
However, the 8.15 per cent G-sec maturing in 2022 eased to Rs 103 from Rs 104.03, while its yield held steady at 7.68 per cent.
Call rates finish lower
The call money rates finished low at the overnight call money market here today due to lack of demand from borrowing banks. It finished lower at 6.80 per cent from 7.10 per cent yesterday. It moved in a range of 7.35 per cent and 6.80 per cent.
