Rupee to start up on broad dlr losses

The rupee is expected to rise on Friday from more than one-week lows in the previous session, following the dollar's broad fall overseas.

The dollar nursed heavy losses in Asian trade, hovering above a record low versus the Swiss franc as investors sought safety in other currencies on fears the unrest in Libya will spread to other oil producers.

The index of the dollar against six major currencies was down 0.1% at 76.977 points, and would be watched for cues during the day.

At 0250 GMT, the MSCI index of Asian shares ex-Japan was up 0.3%, while the Nifty India stock futures traded in Singapore were 0.4% higher.

On Thursday, the partially convertible rupee ended at 45.48/50 per dollar, its weakest since February 15. It had closed at 45.12/13 on Wednesday.

Traders expect the rupee to open around 45.30 and move in a 45.20-45.50 range.