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MUMBAI: USD/INR futures fell on Tuesday, after the spot rupee hit a one-month high following a dip in oil prices and as the dollar weakened on the prospect that the U.S. Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates as aggressively as expected.
Importers' hedging of near-term overseas dues could put a floor under futures later in the day, traders said. Forward premiums inched lower ahead of policy review by the Reserve Bank of India on Friday.
** NSE USD/INR August futures at 79.06 against 79.2775 previous close. Open interest (OI) at $3.18 billion.
** Brent crude down 0.8% at $99.28, extending Monday's tumble.
** Dollar index falls 0.2% to 105.22, tracking a decline in Treasury yields.
** Rupee August contract open interest (OI) at $3.18 billion.
** OI likely to fall amid profit-taking on speculative dollar short bets.
** "In recent days, there has been a buildup in short dollar positions. Some of these positions will be covered as the risk mood has soured somewhat," said a private bank dealer.
** BSE Sensex down 0.5% at 57,811.64 on global growth concerns.
** July rupee forward premium at 2.51 rupees against 2.54 previous close. One-year implied yield at 3.22% against 3.24%.
(Reporting by Nimesh Vora; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)