• Indian Rupee (INR) traces domestic stocks higher
  • Sensex closes over 46,000 & Nifty 50 passes 13,500
  • Vaccine optimism & US fiscal stimulus hope boosts risk sentiment
  • US Dollar (USD) trades lower on safe haven outflows

The US Dollar Indian Rupee (USD/INR) exchange rate is extending losses for a second straight session on Wednesday. The pair settled -0.15% lower on Tuesday at 73.72. At 11:15 UTC, USD/INR trades -0.2% at 73.58.

Risk on trade and insatiable demand for Indian stocks drove the Sensex and the Nifty 50 to close at record highs again on Wednesday. The Indian Rupee traced the benchmarks higher.

The Sensex gained for a fifth straight day crossing the 46,000 mark for the first time before ending the day 1.1% higher. Meanwhile the Nifty pushed beyond 13,500 for the first timed, ending the session 1% higher as the record-breaking streak continues buoyed by strong global sentiment.

Persistent foreign portfolio inflows remain a dominant factor in driving Indian domestic stocks higher. FPI’s were net buyers again.

Expectations that the US will approve a covid vaccine, if not two within the coming weeks it driving the surge in risk appetite. The US regulator yesterday released a report saying that there were no issues surrounding the vaccines safety if efficacy.

India’s health secretary said on Tuesday that the country may also approve a covid vaccine over the coming weeks. India has the world’s second highest caseload following the US. Daily new cases have fallen over recent weeks from almost 100,000 new daily infections to 32,080 over the last 24 hours.

Progress in US stimulus talks is adding to the risk on mood, boosting demand for riskier assets and currencies such as stocks and the Indian Rupee whilst dragging on demand for the safe haven US Dollar. The Trump administration proposed a $916 billion rescue package which the Democrats appear to be considering and even hailed the proposal as progress.

With no high impacting US data due to be released investors will be watching developments surrounding stimulus talks closely.