Rupee firmer at 44.86/$

MARKET REPORT

Forex market

Outlook:
The rupee is expected to open firmer on expectations of more foreign exchange inflows into equities

Sentiment: Bullish

The rupee ended at Rs 44.86 per dollar, off an intra-day low of Rs 45.08 and 0.3 per cent firmer than previous close of Rs 44.98

The rupee has fallen more than 2 per cent from its November 10 peak of Rs 44.35 per dollar, driven by RBI intervention

The six-month forward dollar premium was 1.91 per cent, down from previous close of 1.98 per cent

Money market

Sentiment:Bullish

Liquidity improved probably on RBI's intervention in the foreign exchange market and higher government spending

Bond yields closed steady on Tuesday, after dipping to six-and-a-half month lows in intra-day trade

The yield on the 10-year benchmark bond closed at 7.48 per cent, the same as Monday's finish

Liquidity, as captured in the daily reverse repo auction, rose to Rs 12,100 crore from an average of Rs 4,400 crore last week

Call money was lower at 6.60/6.70 per cent on improved liquidity