The Indian rupee appreciated by 26 paise to 74.10 against the US dollar (20.19 versus UAE dirham) in opening trade on Thursday, tracking positive domestic equities and weak American currency.

At the interbank forex market, the local unit opened at 74.20 against the US dollar, then gained further and touched 74.10, registering a rise of 26 paise over its previous close.

On Wednesday, the rupee had settled at 74.36 against the American currency.

The rupee started on a stronger note against the greenback after the dovish statement by the US Federal Reserve weighed on the greenback, Reliance Securities, said in a research note adding that the strength of the equity markets also supported the local unit.

The US Fed kept policy rates and asset purchases unchanged. The Fed acknowledged the pick-up in economic activity and employment.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.03 per cent to 90.58.

The US dollar index was trading weaker this morning in Asian trade as a dovish Fed continued to weigh on the greenback. Markets could track the release of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and jobless claims data due later, the Reliance Securities'' note said.

On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex was trading 128.26 points or 0.26 per cent higher at 49,862.10, and the broader 50-share NSE Nifty advanced 46.35 points or 0.31 per cent higher at 14,910.90.

Copyright © 2021 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Disclaimer: The content of this article is syndicated or provided to this website from an external third party provider. We are not responsible for, and do not control, such external websites, entities, applications or media publishers. The body of the text is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither we nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this article. Read our full disclaimer policy here.