Continuing with its slide, the rupee on Thursday slipped past the crucial 73.50 levels to open at 73.70 against the US dollar. Minutes later, the currency bled further and slipped to 73.76.
The domestic currency on Wednesday plunged by 43 paise to breach the historic low of 73 level as soaring crude oil prices fuelled worries over capital outflows and widening current account deficit. The domestic currency closed at a record low of 73.34, down by 43 paise or 0.59 per cent at the interbank foreign exchange.
Sharp volatility in the domestic equities and steep FIIs outflows from equity and debt segments keeping sentiments bearish for the rupee, said Rushabh Maru - Research Analyst , Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers. "The dollar index is hovering around multi-months high as the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates aggressively. Focus would now shift to the RBI monetary policy meeting. There is a buzz of repo rate hike by 25 bps and possible change in the monetary policy stance by the RBI. More importantly, its guidance will be crucial. Market will also keenly watch whether the RBI announces any crucial measures to stabilize the rupee. In the near term, the rupee might trade in 72.50 and 73.80 range," Maru added.
On the global front, the dollar climbed an 11-month top on the yen on Thursday as stunningly strong US economic data drove Treasury yields to their highest since mid-2011, while Japanese stocks attempted to re-claim a 27-year peak.