Rupee ends flat at 72.96 per dollar

Indian rupee ended flat at 72.96 in the volatile trade, amid buying witnessed in the domestic equity market with indices hitting fresh record highs.

It opened flat at 72.97 per dollar against previous close of 72.96 and trade in the range of 72.91-72.98.

At close, the Sensex was up 458.03 points or 0.92% at 50,255.75, and the Nifty was up 142.10 points or 0.97% at 14,790.

Oil rose in early trade on Wednesday on expectations global oil stocks will fall back to more normal levels this year and as U.S. lawmakers moved closer to approving President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill without Republican support.

The USDINR pair continued to hover around USD 73 post Budget also. A sharp sell-off in Euro would boost dollar due to which EM currencies are likely to depreciate. Sizeable Put base is also at 73 from where bounce is expected, said ICICI direct.

The dollar-rupee February contract on the NSE was at Rs 73.22 in the last session. The open interest fell by 4.5% for the February series, it added.