USD/INR drifts higher, RBI remains on high alert on inflation
- Indian Rupee loses traction amid the renewed USD demand.
- The Ministry of Finance stated that they remain on high alert over inflationary risks.
- Market players await the US Jobless Claims Durable Goods Orders and UoM Consumer Sentiment survey.
Indian Rupee (INR) trades softer on Wednesday amid the US dollar (USD) weakness. In its latest monthly economic review for October 2023, the Ministry of Finance stated that even as inflationary pressures have moderated, there are persistent downside risks to growth and macroeconomic stability from inflation, which keeps the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on high alert. Furthermore, the report suggests a decline in crude oil prices and sustained moderation in core inflation could help alleviate inflationary pressures.
The minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting released on Tuesday showed that all participants agreed to proceed carefully and policy decisions at every meeting would continue to be based on the totality of incoming information and economic outlook as well as the balance of risks.
Investors will keep an eye on the US data, including the weekly Jobless Claims Durable Goods Orders, and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment survey, due later on Wednesday. In the meantime, the dollar demand from state-run and foreign banks and foreign funds outflows might impact the INR.
Daily Digest Market Movers: Indian Rupee remains sensitive to multiple headwinds
- India’s Ministry of Finance said in the report that the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) remain on high alert over inflationary risks.
- The finance ministry's report highlights the need to monitor external financial flows closely, acknowledging their direct impact on the Indian Rupee's value and the balance of payments.
- RBI increased its gold holdings by nine tonnes during the September 2023 quarter, bringing its total to 337 tonnes amassed by central banks worldwide.
- According to the RBI's monthly bulletin, the momentum of the change in India's GDP is likely to be higher in the third quarter of 2023-24, with festival demand remaining ebullient.
- RBI estimated the Indian economy to post a GDP growth rate of 6.5% in 2023-24.
- The US Chicago Fed National Activity Index for October fell to -0.49 from the previous reading of -0.02.
- US Existing Home Sales dropped 4.1% MoM in October from a 2.2% decline in September.
- The FOMC minutes showed all participants agreed to “proceed carefully” and policy decisions at every meeting would continue to be based on the totality of incoming information and economic outlook as well as the balance of risks.
Technical Analysis: The Indian Rupee keeps a positive outlook
The Indian Rupee trades softer on the day. The USD/INR pair has traded within a trading range of 82.80–83.35 since September. The technical outlook suggests that the upleg of USD/INR stays intact as the pair holds above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily chart. Meanwhile, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) holds above the 50.0 midline, suggesting the path of least resistance is to the upside.
The immediate resistance level for the pair will emerge at the upper boundary of the trading range of 83.35. Some follow-through buying should pave the way to the year-to-date (YTD) high of 83.47. The next hurdle is located near a psychological round mark at 84.00.
On the flip side, the confluence of the lower limit of the trading range and a low of September 12 at 82.80 acts as an initial support level for the pair. If sellers push prices below that level, the next contention to watch is a low of August 11 at 82.60, followed by a low of August 24 at 82.37.
US Dollar price in the last 7 days
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies in the last 7 days. US Dollar was the weakest against the Japanese Yen.
| USD | EUR | GBP | CAD | AUD | JPY | NZD | CHF | |
| USD | -0.18% | -0.19% | 0.17% | -0.49% | -1.01% | -0.30% | -0.53% | |
| EUR | 0.17% | -0.01% | 0.35% | -0.31% | -0.82% | -0.12% | -0.36% | |
| GBP | 0.19% | 0.01% | 0.36% | -0.30% | -0.81% | -0.10% | -0.35% | |
| CAD | -0.17% | -0.33% | -0.34% | -0.64% | -1.17% | -0.45% | -0.69% | |
| AUD | 0.48% | 0.31% | 0.30% | 0.66% | -0.50% | 0.19% | -0.04% | |
| JPY | 1.00% | 0.83% | 0.80% | 1.14% | 0.48% | 0.70% | 0.47% | |
| NZD | 0.29% | 0.12% | 0.10% | 0.46% | -0.19% | -0.71% | -0.24% | |
| CHF | 0.53% | 0.34% | 0.33% | 0.69% | 0.03% | -0.48% | 0.24% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).
Indian Rupee FAQs
What are the key factors driving the Indian Rupee?
The Indian Rupee (INR) is one of the most sensitive currencies to external factors. The price of Crude Oil (the country is highly dependent on imported Oil), the value of the US Dollar – most trade is conducted in USD – and the level of foreign investment, are all influential. Direct intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in FX markets to keep the exchange rate stable, as well as the level of interest rates set by the RBI, are further major influencing factors on the Rupee.
How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of India impact the Indian Rupee?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively intervenes in forex markets to maintain a stable exchange rate, to help facilitate trade. In addition, the RBI tries to maintain the inflation rate at its 4% target by adjusting interest rates. Higher interest rates usually strengthen the Rupee. This is due to the role of the ‘carry trade’ in which investors borrow in countries with lower interest rates so as to place their money in countries’ offering relatively higher interest rates and profit from the difference.
What macroeconomic factors influence the value of the Indian Rupee?
Macroeconomic factors that influence the value of the Rupee include inflation, interest rates, the economic growth rate (GDP), the balance of trade, and inflows from foreign investment. A higher growth rate can lead to more overseas investment, pushing up demand for the Rupee. A less negative balance of trade will eventually lead to a stronger Rupee. Higher interest rates, especially real rates (interest rates less inflation) are also positive for the Rupee. A risk-on environment can lead to greater inflows of Foreign Direct and Indirect Investment (FDI and FII), which also benefit the Rupee.
How does inflation impact the Indian Rupee?
Higher inflation, particularly, if it is comparatively higher than India’s peers, is generally negative for the currency as it reflects devaluation through oversupply. Inflation also increases the cost of exports, leading to more Rupees being sold to purchase foreign imports, which is Rupee-negative. At the same time, higher inflation usually leads to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates and this can be positive for the Rupee, due to increased demand from international investors. The opposite effect is true of lower inflation.
Author
Lallalit Srijandorn
FXStreet
Lallalit Srijandorn is a Parisian at heart. She has lived in France since 2019 and now becomes a digital entrepreneur based in Paris and Bangkok.
