Rupee dips for 3rd straight day, ends at over 1 week low

Ahead of US Federal Reserve policy meeting outcome, Indian rupee today dipped three paise to end at over one-week low of 61.35 against the greenback on dollar demand from importers, extending losses for the third day.

Firm local equities, fresh capital outflows and a weak dollar overeas, however, restricted the rupee fall to a major extent, a forex dealer said.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex), the domestic unit commenced higher at 61.26 a dollar from previous close of 61.32 and immediately touched a high of 61.25. Later, it fell back to a low of 61.3650 before concluding at 61.35 -- a fall of three paise or 0.05%. This is its weakest closing level since ending at 61.36 on October 20.

Rupee had fallen three paise on Monday and two paise on Tuesday.

The Indian benchmark S&P BSE Sensex today spurted 217.35 points, or 0.81%. FIIs sold shares worth $11.60 million yesterday, as per Sebi data.

The dollar index was trading lower by 0.06% against its major global rivals.

Pramit Brahmbhatt, Veracity Group, CEO, said: "Rupee continues to trade in a tight range...

"Traders are eagerly waiting for the outcome of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting with the anticipation that the Federal Reserve won't raise interest rates for some time. The trading range for the spot rupee is expected to be within 60.80 to 61.80.