16.04.202603:17:31UTC+00Rupee Steady on Geopolitical Relief

The Indian rupee hovered around 93.2 per dollar, stabilizing after recent losses as easing geopolitical tensions lent support to the currency. Market sentiment improved on expectations that the US and Iran will extend their ceasefire by two weeks, reducing fears of further escalation and helping steady global financial markets. However, any upside for the rupee remained constrained by persistent dollar demand from importers, especially oil marketing companies, which continued to limit appreciation.

Softer crude oil prices offered some respite by tempering concerns over India’s import bill, but this benefit was largely offset by ongoing hedging activity and steady appetite for the US dollar, keeping the rupee locked in a tight trading range. Domestically, investors assessed mixed macroeconomic signals. India’s unemployment rate inched up to 5.1% in March from 4.9% in February, pointing to a modest softening in labor market conditions. This was partly counterbalanced by a stronger-than-expected external trade performance, as the goods trade deficit narrowed sharply to $20.67 billion.