Rupee rises 9 paise to 62.28 vs USD; best weekly gain in nine

The rupee today appreciated by nine paise to end at 62.28 against the dollar on sustained selling of the US currency by exporters and positive trends in stocks, helping it wrap up its best week in nine.
Other factors like volatility ahead of US non-farm payrolls data and hopes of inflows linked to Vodafone deal and ongoing spectrum auction, also helped the local currency mostly trade in the green today, said forex traders.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic currency resumed higher at 62.30 a dollar from last close of 62.37 and moved in a narrow range between a high of 62.25 and a low of 62.42.

The rupee finished at 62.28, logging a rise of nine paise or 0.14 per cent over Thursday's close. Today's closing is the rupee's highest since 61.93 on January 23, 2014.
Yesterday, it has gained 20 paise or 0.32 per cent.
On a weekly basis, the rupee jumped 40 paise -- its best since the week ended December 6, 2013 when it rose 103 paise.

"It was a strong session for rupee which was seen breaking its earlier range of past seven sessions. Gains were supported by dollar selling and positive stock markets...There was cautiousness ahead of the key Non-Farm Payrolls data from the US," said Abhishek Goenka, CEO, India Forex Advisors.

A better-than-expected US jobs data is likely to add to fears that the US Federal Reserve will further taper its USD 65 billion a month bond buying programme.
The Indian benchmark S&P BSE Sensex today gained 65.82 points or 0.32 per cent, ahead of advance growth estimates.
After stocks and forex market closed, government pegged economic growth rate for 2013-14 at 4.9 per cent against 4.5 per cent in 2012-13.
The dollar index, a gauge of six major global rivals, was up by 0.09 per cent. Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO, Alpari Financial Services, (India) said: "Dollar index is trading week but is expected to strengthen in coming days on tapering which will depreciate rupee and may force it to trade near 63.00 levels.