- Indian Rupee (INR) steadies after two days of gains
- Oil rises as Russia sanctions hit
- US Dollar (USD) rises on safe haven flow
- US ADP payrolls, Fed Powell
The US Dollar Indian Rupee (USD/INR) exchange rate is holding steady on Wednesday after two days of gains. The pair settled +0.34 higher yesterday at 75.75. At 10:30 UTC, USD/INR trades -0.01% at 75.74.
The Indian Rupee is holding steady after several days of weakness. Risk aversion continues to dominate the global financial markets as Russia continues its military assault on Ukraine.
The West has ratcheted up financial sanctions on Russia which have sent oil prices surging to $110 per barrel. Surging oil prices are bad news for importers such as India and is likely to keep gains in the Rupee limited.
Separately, India’s factory growth accelerated in February as the third COVID wave eased, and the outlook improved as cost inflation slowed as well. However, this survey was carried out prior to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The US Dollar is rising across the board. The US Dollar Index, which measures the greenback versus a basket of major currencies trades +0.27% at the time of writing at 97.67 marking its third straight day of gains.
The US dollar is benefitting from safe haven flows as investors sellout of riskier currencies and assets and seek the protection of the world’s reserve currency.
Yesterday stronger than forecast manufacturing data added support to the US dollar. US ISM manufacturing PMI rose to 58.6 in February, up from 57.6 in January. This was ahead of the 58 level forecast and well over the level 50 which separates expansion from contraction.
Today, in addition to Russia, Ukraine headlines investors will also look ahead to ADP payroll data for clues ahead of the US non-farm payroll on Friday.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is also due to testify before Congress. His appearance comes as the markets question how the Fed will tame inflation without hurting growth, which is likely to slow in light of Ukraine developments.
