- Indian Rupee (INR) rises boosted by strong Indian stock market
- India passes 1 million covid cases
- Rising coronavirus numbers in America boosts risk aversion lifting driving flows into US Dollar
- Consumer confidence unexpectedly declined in July
The US Dollar Indian Rupee (USD/INR) exchange rate is trading -0.1% on Monday, extending losses from the previous week. Last week the pair declined -0.4% settling on Friday at 74.89. At 10:15 UTC, USD/INR trades -0.1% at 75.82, this is at the lower end of the daily traded range.
A strong Indian equity market thanks to solid corporate earnings was helping the Indian Rupee hold its ground versus the US Dollar. Indian stock markets continued their rallying streak. The Sensex ended today over 1% higher in its fourth straight session of gains. Meanwhile while the Nifty breached the crucial 11,000 level to end the session over 1% higher. Foreign portfolio investors are net buyers, boosting demand for the Indian Rupee.
Gains in the Rupee are being capped by fears that rising coronavirus numbers will derail the any economic recovery. Coronavirus infections in India passed the grim 1 million milestones, the third country to do so after US and Brazil. Evidence is mounting that the virus is taking hold in poorer more rural areas of India with less effective health services.
Authorities in India are imposing new locks downs including fresh restrictions on 128 million in the state of Bihar.
The US Dollar is trading broadly higher versus its major peers in risk off trading. With few headlines over the weekend to drive trading, investors are focusing on covid-19 statistics and headlines which were unnerving. Hong Kong and Australia increased restrictions.
Meanwhile the number of daily cases is the US remains elevated over 70,000 as parts of the South and South West of the country re-impose lockdown measures in an attempt to control the spread of the virus. Investors are weary that the US could be facing a double dip recession if it fails to get its covid-19 numbers under control.
Data on Friday showed that consumer confidence unexpectedly declined in July as covid infections rise. This could be the start of weaker economic numbers from the US after a relatively solid recovery until now. As fears rise investors buy into the US Dollar for its safe haven properties
