Rupee extends gains to end at 66, up 10p

The currency has gained by 4 paise or 0.66% in three trading days

The rupee on Monday continued its upward march against the US dollar for the third day, firming up by another 10 paise to 66.00 on fag end selling of the American currency by banks and exporters on the back of a lower greenback in the overseas market.

The rupee resumed lower at 66.2 a dollar against Friday's closing level of 66.1 at the interbank foreign exchange market and dropped further to 66.3 on initial demand for the US currency from banks and importers following higher dollar opening.

However, it recovered afterwards to 65.9450 a dollar before finishing at 66 on fag end dollar selling by banks and exporters, showing a gain of 10 paise or 0.15 per cent.

The rupee has gained by four paise or 0.66 per cent in three trading days.

Overseas, the dollar was higher against the basket currencies in early Asian trade, while the euro hit a six-and-a-half year low against the yen and edged near 6-1/2-month lows against the dollar, after the deadly attacks in Paris added to caution on the common currency.

Meanwhile, the dollar posted a slight weekly decline on last Friday in the global market against its main rivals after retail sales in the US failed to accelerate as economists had hoped.

Pramit Brahmbhatt, Veracity Group CEO said, “Today the rupee traded positively and appreciated by over 10 paise for the day. Dollar index is trading strong for the day but the positive closing of local equities supported the rupee movement and helped it to close at 66.00.”

The trading range for the spot dollar vs rupee pair is expected to be within 65.60 to 66.40.