usd-inr-bank-notes
  • Indian Rupee (INR) falls in risk-off trade
  • Rupee is set for a small weekly gain
  • US Dollar (USD) rises after strong data
  • US jobs report tomorrow

The US Dollar Indian Rupee (USD/INR) exchange rate is rising on Thursday after three days of declines. The pair settled -0.2% lower on Wednesday at 77.49. At 14:00 UTC, USD/INR trades +0.15% at 79. 58.

The Indian Rupee is falling into a broad risk-off environment. Fears of a global economic slowdown as central banks tighten monetary policy is hurting risk sentiment. Investors are selling out of risker assets and currencies such as the Rupee in favor of safe havens like the USD.

Falling oil prices weren’t sufficient to boost the Rupee. Oil has dropped 10% over the past three days, weighed down by slowing growth fears hitting the demand outlook. Rising COVIDA cases in China and more lockdown restrictions added selling pressure to an oil. West Texas Intermediate trades -2.8% at $86.40

The US Dollar is rising across the board. The US Dollar Index, which measures the greenback versus a basket of major currencies, trades +0.40% at the time of writing at 109.29 after steep losses yesterday.

The US dollar is charging higher, adding to gains in the previous session. Stronger than forecast US jobless claims and ISM manufacturing data are helping the latest leg higher.

Jobless claims unexpectedly fell to 232k, down from a downwardly revised 238k and well below the 248k forecast. This was the third straight week of declines and takes jobless claims to the lowest level in two months. The data suggests that the US labour market is holding up well, which bodes well for tomorrow’s non-farm payroll report.

US ISM manufacturing data was also stronger than expected, climbing to 52.8% in August, unchanged from July and defying expectations of a slowdown.

The strong data could encourage the Federal Reserve to keep hiking interest rates aggressively.

Attention will now turn to the US non-farm payroll report due to be released tomorrow. Expectations are for a strong 300k jobs to have been created.