Rupee sees high volatility post RBI policy decision; inches to 71 level against US dollar

Highlights

  • The rupee had opened on a weak note at 70.92 at the interbank forex market, then fell further to 70.99 against the dollar
  • Rupee fell to a low of 70.99 and a high of 70.88 within minutes of RBI's policy decision
(Representative image) (Representative image)
MUMBAI: The rupee witnessed high volatility and slipped towards 71 level after the Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday cut key interest rate by 35 basis points (bps) to boost the slowing economy.

The rupee had opened on a weak note at 70.92 at the interbank forex market, then fell further to 70.99 against the dollar. The domestic currency was trading at 70.91 at 1215 hrs, down 10 paise over its last close.


Following the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision, the local currency witnessed heavy volatility. It fell to a low of 70.99 and a high of 70.88 within minutes of RBI's policy decision.

The domestic unit had settled at 70.81 against the US dollar on Tuesday.

The Reserve Bank on Wednesday cut key interest rate for the fourth consecutive time, as it reduced repo rate by 35 bps to 5.40 per cent to boost the slowing economy.

EMIs set to fall as RBI goes for fourth straight rate cut

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday reduced repo rate by 35 basis points (bps) to 5.40 per cent. This is the fourth straight rate cut from the RBI and it results in an overall decline of 110 bps or 1.1 percentage point in the key lending rate.


The six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) also maintained the 'accommodative stance' on the monetary policy.

Noting that inflation is currently projected to remain within the target over a 12-month ahead horizon, the MPC said since the last (June) policy, domestic economic activity continues to be weak, with the global slowdown and escalating trade tensions posing downside risks.

The RBI also revised real GDP growth for 2019-20 downwards to 6.9 per cent from 7 per cent in the June policy.

Meanwhile, brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.29 per cent to $58.77 per barrel, as US-China trade dispute rattled investor sentiments.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the capital markets, pulling out Rs 2,107.93 crore on Tuesday, as per provisional data.

RBI breaks-away from convention; cuts key lending rate by 35 basis points

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday broke-away from convention to reduce key lending rates by 35 basis points (bps) to 5.40 per cent. Historically, the central bank has been either reducing or increasing rates in the multiples of 25 basis points.


Domestic bourses also witnessed heavy volatility and was trading higher by 46.61 points or 0.13 per cent at 37,023.46 and Nifty was trading at 10,951.50, up 3.25 points or 0.03 per cent.

Meanwhile, on the global front investors fretted as dispute between tow of the world's largest economies intensified over tariffs and currency.


China has meanwhile reported to have said that it is halting new purchases of US agricultural products after President Trump vowed last week to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods starting in September.






ReadPost a comment

All Comments ()+

+
All CommentsYour Activity
Sort
Be the first one to review.
We have sent you a verification email. To verify, just follow the link in the message