After opening stronger at 55.33 in sync with global currencies in early trade as Greece poll results eased concerns over a deepening Euro crisis, the rupee strengthened further as it hit the day's high of 55.28 as forex markets factored in a minimum 0.25 per cent rate cut by RBI.
However, with the central bank choosing to focus on inflation over growth and leaving repo rate untouched at 8 per cent, the domestic currency cracked under pressure, mirroring the local stock market trend. The Sensex, after an initial 160-point rally, erased hefty gains and finally closed 244 points down.
Ratings agency Fitch downgrading India's credit outlook to negative also soured the sentiment in the forex market. The rupee touched a low of 56.04 before gaining some ground to close at 55.93, a fall of nearly 1 per cent or 53 paise.
According to Moses Harding, Head - ALCO and Economic & Market Research, IndusInd Bank, the rupee slided today as it had appreciated factoring in the cut in CRR or repo rate during the policy. "However, as that didn't happen, rupee slipped to previous levels. The tone of RBI which is not pro-growth, has also impacted the currency," he added.
"The (credit rating outlook downgrade) by Fitch to negative proved disastrous that pushed rupee to above 56 level," said Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO, Alpari Financial Services (India).
Apart from dollar demand from importers, the rupee did not find any support from Euro, forex dealers said. The euro was almost unchanged at USD 1.26, after gaining as much as 1 per cent to USD 1.27 in early trade today as optimism was curbed over the victory of pro-bailout parties in Greek elections. (MORE)
