- Indian Rupee (INR) supported by mildly risk on trading
- Economies reopening overshadows strained US -Chinese relations
- Grim numbers expected from US Q1 GDP, Durable goods & jobless claims
- At 11:30 UTC, USD/INR is trading -0.1% at 75.83 >> Real time exchange rate
The Indian Rupee is advancing versus the US Dollar on Thursday, paring some of the losses from the previous session. On Wednesday, the Rupee settled -0.6% lower at 75.92 amid escalating US – Sino tensions.
At 11:30 UTC, USD/INR is trading -0.1% at 75.83. This is towards the upper end of the daily traded range of 75.67-75.92.
Risk sentiment was strengthening across global financial markets on Thursday as optimism surrounding the reopening of global economies overshadowed increasingly strained US – Chinese relations.
The mildly risk on mood has seen global equities advance as investors feel more confident buying into riskier assets. The Indian Sensex jumped 1.8% supporting the Rupee. Meanwhile the safe haven US Dollar is slipping lower.
The move higher in the Rupee and the Sensex comes against a backdrop of intensifying tensions between the US and China as the latter cracks down on civil liberties in Hong Kong, the financial centre of Asia. There is growing speculation that Hong Kong could lose its special trade stratus with US after Mike Pompeo said that the US no longer recognises the political independence of Hong Kong.
US Dollar investors will now focus on a slew of US data due for release later today. First quarter GDP data, Durable goods and Jobless claims will be under the spotlight. Analysts are expecting terrible figures.
GDP data is expected to confirm a -4.8% contraction in Q1 on an annual basis. Durable goods are expected to show a record -19.1% decline in April as coronavirus zapped confidence from the market. Finally, initial jobless claims are expected to remain stubbornly above 2 million, as the number of new claims falls but at a frustratingly slow pace. Continuing claims will also attract more attention, as investors look for signs of firms rehiring as states ease lockdown measures and reopen businesses.
