Rupee rises most among major emerging market currencies since August 2013 low - The Times of India
The rupee has logged the smartest gain among major emerging market currencies since touching a life-time low in late August. On Tuesday, the Indian currency reached a seven-month high of 60.60 to the greenback in early trade before retreating to close at 60.95, nine paise weaker than Monday.
At Tuesday's close, the India currency has appreciated 11.4% against the US currency since the record closing low of 68.83 to a dollar on August 28, with the Malaysian ringgit being distant second with a 1.5% rise during this period. The rupee has gained 119 paise in the last five trading sessions on the back of a healthy current account deficit scenario and greater comfort with the US stimulus withdrawal.
This is good news for imports, including petroleum and edible oil, and for those looking to travel overseas. But, a stronger rupee means that those who depend on remittances from relatives abroad, will get fewer rupees for every dollar that they receive. Similarly, exporters will see a dip in realization, although they never managed to realize the full benefit of a weak rupee as overseas buyers whipped away some of the upside by reducing the dollar price of the goods bought from Indian manufacturers.
Analysts are predicting further strengthening. In a note, Barclays said the Indian currency could be trading at 59 to a dollar in a month.
The rupee has gained as a result of a series of measures introduced by the government and RBI to put a check on wasteful dollar outflows such as those on importing gold. As a result, the trade deficit has shrunk.
Officials said with an improvement in the overall situation, the remaining restrictions would be done away with. But, the government doesn't seem to be in a hurry to ease the gold import curbs.
The rupee has logged the smartest gain among major emerging market currencies since touching a life-time low in late August. On Tuesday, the Indian currency reached a seven-month high of 60.60 to the greenback in early trade before retreating to close at 60.95, nine paise weaker than Monday.
At Tuesday's close, the India currency has appreciated 11.4% against the US currency since the record closing low of 68.83 to a dollar on August 28, with the Malaysian ringgit being distant second with a 1.5% rise during this period. The rupee has gained 119 paise in the last five trading sessions on the back of a healthy current account deficit scenario and greater comfort with the US stimulus withdrawal.
This is good news for imports, including petroleum and edible oil, and for those looking to travel overseas. But, a stronger rupee means that those who depend on remittances from relatives abroad, will get fewer rupees for every dollar that they receive. Similarly, exporters will see a dip in realization, although they never managed to realize the full benefit of a weak rupee as overseas buyers whipped away some of the upside by reducing the dollar price of the goods bought from Indian manufacturers.
Analysts are predicting further strengthening. In a note, Barclays said the Indian currency could be trading at 59 to a dollar in a month.
The rupee has gained as a result of a series of measures introduced by the government and RBI to put a check on wasteful dollar outflows such as those on importing gold. As a result, the trade deficit has shrunk.
Officials said with an improvement in the overall situation, the remaining restrictions would be done away with. But, the government doesn't seem to be in a hurry to ease the gold import curbs.