Rupee ended off highs, Dollar eased vs. major currencies

Tuesday,   25-Feb-2020   05:19 PM (IST)

The Indian rupee ended the session off highs at 71.88/89 levels compared to its opening at 71.84/85 levels after touching the low of 71.8950/9050 levels as importers’ greenback demand trimmed early gains triggered by a rebound in most Asian currencies. Rupee traded in the range of 71.79-71.8950 levels. Rupee strengthened to 71.79/80 levels early today boosted by a rebound in most regional units from losses prompted by fears about the spread of the coronavirus. Most Asian currencies staged a rebound today, with the Korean won leading the pack higher. The S&P BSE Sensex ended at 40,281, down 82 points or 0.2 per cent. The 50-share Nifty index slipped below the key level of 11,800 to end at 11,798, down 31.5 points or 0.27 per cent. In the forward segment 1mth, 3mth and 6mth annualized premia ended the day at 3.64%, 3.68% and 3.67% respectively.

The dollar eased on Tuesday following a recent run of strong gains amid heightened expectations that the anticipated hit to economic growth from the spread of the coronavirus will prompt the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Futures for the Fed funds rate have surged in the last few days to price in a 50-50 chance of a quarter-point rate cut as early as April. In all, they imply more than 50 basis points of reductions by year end. Central banks across Asia have already been easing policy, while governments have pledged fiscal stimulus measures, something western countries might also have to consider. Without too much good news on the virus, few expect the dollar to give back too much of its recent gains. The outbreak has now affected 80,000 people globally and the death toll in Italy climbed to seven on Monday, adding to fears the virus is morphing into a pandemic that could wreak far greater economic damage than first thought. China reported a rise in new coronavirus cases in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, even though the rest of the country saw a fourth-straight day of declines. South Korea, which has the most virus cases in Asia outside China, reported 60 new cases on Tuesday, increasing the total number of infected patients there to 893. The euro edged up a little from recent three-year lows to reach 1.0863, while the dollar was trading at 110.58 per yen, offs a 10-month high of 112.21. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that clusters of cases had emerged there and that the government would take stronger steps to combat the outbreak. Meanwhile, the Australian and New Zealand dollars were little changed against the greenback. That could add to the dollar's 5.7% rise against the Aussie so far this year.