The Indian rupee weakened to around 94.2 per dollar, a four-week low, as external pressures dampened market sentiment. The currency has declined for five consecutive sessions, losing roughly 1.3% this week and retreating from its recent peak near 92.5. According to traders, the Reserve Bank of India has been intermittently selling dollars to curb excessive volatility, aiming to moderate the pace of depreciation rather than defend any specific level. Even so, robust demand for the US dollar continues to keep the USD/INR pair elevated, limiting prospects for a meaningful rebound.
Rising oil prices have intensified the pressure on the rupee, with Brent crude advancing toward $106 per barrel and briefly topping $107—the highest level in two weeks—as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East stoke fears of supply disruptions. Foreign portfolio outflows have added to the drag on the currency. Equity withdrawals remain substantial, with cumulative outflows earlier this month briefly surpassing last year’s record annual exodus of $18.79 billion.
