Rupee hits over 3-month high of 53.19

Extending gains for the fourth day in a row, the rupee today rose by three paise to end at a three-and-a-half-month high of 53.19 against the US currency on sustained dollar selling amid continued capital inflows.

Forex dealers said, however, sluggish local equities capped the rupee's rise to some extent.    

The local unit commenced the day marginally lower at 53.25 against the dollar from yesterday's close of 53.22 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market.

It moved in a range of 53.16-53.40 before settling at 53.19, a marginal gain of three paise, or 0.06%. In the past four days, the rupee has spurted by 72 paise, or 1.34%.

"Rupee was seen trading in a very thin range of 24 paise. The continuous appreciation in rupee is on the back of gradual fall in dollar index which made a low of 78.95 levels today. The sharp rise in euro on strong economic data from euro-zone has also supported the strength of rupee," said Abhishek Geonka, Founder and CEO, India Forex Advisors.

During the Indian Forex market hours, the euro rose above 1.36 against the dollar for the first time in more than a year.

According to Sebi data, foreign institutional investors have pumped in over $4.5 billion (Rs 23,935.30 crore) into local equities in January, helping the rupee gain over three% in the first month of 2013.

The dollar index, consisting of six major global rivals, was down by 0.21% ahead to a busy schedule of US and European economic indicators.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex today closed down by 113.79 points at 19781.19.

Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO, Alpari Financial Services (India) said: "The rupee reversed the weakness of first half of session towards the last but one hour, on account of rise in euro over better than expected PMI numbers beating the street expectations".

The premium for the forward dollar recovered on fresh payments from banks and corporates.

The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in July ended up at 184-186 paise from Thursday's close of 183-185 paise.

Far-forward contracts maturing in January also rose to 345-347 paise from 342-344 paise.

The RBI has fixed the reference rate for the US dollar at 53.3238 and for euro at 72.6296.

The rupee fell back against the pound sterling to 84.17 from previous close of 84.03 and also turned negative to end at 72.60 per euro from 72.11.

It, however, rebounded against the Japanese yen to 57.75 per 100 yen from last close of 58.48.