Pti

News Highlights

  • The Indian rupee slipped 13 paise to close at 74.42 (provisional) against the US currency on Friday.
  • Gold gained Rs 294 to Rs 47,442 per 10 grams.
  • Silver prices diminished by Rs 170 to Rs 66,274 per kg, from Rs 66,444 per kg.

Equity benchmark Sensex slipped over 66 points to close at 52,586.84 on Friday, hit by fag-end selling in finance and metal stocks following sluggish investor sentiment in global markets.

The 30-share BSE index fell 66.23 points or 0.13 per cent to close at 52,586.84, while the broader NSE Nifty dipped 15.40 points or 0.10 per cent to 15,763.05.

The market remained range-bound for the most part of the session as investors kept their exposure lower due to weak global cues, traders said.

The selling pressure was witnessed towards the fag-end when European markets opened in the negative zone, they added.

Bajaj Finance was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding over 2.5 per cent, followed by SBI, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel, Asian Paints and Axis Bank.

On the other hand, Sun Pharma, Tech Mahindra, Power Grid, Bajaj Auto NTPC and HCL tech were among the gainers.

Sun Pharma surged over 10 per cent after it reported a net profit of Rs 1,444.17 crore for the quarter ended June.

Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended with significant losses.

Equities in Europe were also trading on a negative note in mid-session deals.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market as they offloaded shares worth Rs 866.26 crore on Thursday, as per provisional exchange data.

Rupee Falls 13 Paise To Close At 74.42 Against US Dollar

The Indian rupee slipped 13 paise to close at 74.42 (provisional) against the US currency on Friday, tracking muted domestic equities and unabated foreign fund outflows.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit witnessed high volatility. It opened at 74.30 against the dollar and witnessed an intra-day high of 74.27 and a low of 74.44 during the session.

Snapping its two-day gaining streak, the local unit finally ended the day at 74.42, down 13 paise over its last close. On Thursday, the rupee had settled at 74.29 against the US dollar.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading unchanged at 91.86.

"Indian rupee erased Thursday's gains and clocked weekly declines after three consecutive weekly gains following risk-off sentiments and fund outflows," said Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities.

Market participants are awaiting fiscal deficit and eight core-infra numbers data ahead of next weeks' RBI policy meet for further cues.

"From the level front, spot USDINR is in congestion zone with downside support around 74 and resistance at 74.90," Parmar said.

Meanwhile, global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.25 per cent to USD 75.86 per barrel in futures trade.

Foreign institutional investors were net sellers in the capital market on Thursday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 866.26 crore, as per exchange data.

Gold Gains Rs 294; Silver Down Rs 170

Gold in the national capital on Friday gained Rs 294 to Rs 47,442 per 10 grams in line with rally in international precious metal prices, according to HDFC Securities.

The precious metal had in the previous trade closed at Rs 47,148 per 10 grams.

In contrast, silver prices diminished by Rs 170 to Rs 66,274 per kg, from Rs 66,444 per kg in the previous trade.

In the international market, gold was trading higher at USD 1,830 per ounce and silver was flat at USD 25.57 per ounce.

HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said, "Gold prices witnessed strong buying following selling in dollar post FOMC meeting. The dollar index fell to a four-week low which boosted buying in the yellow metal."

Navneet Damani, vice-president (commodities research) of Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said, "Gold prices traded higher and are set for their biggest weekly gain in more than two months, as the US Fed governor struck a dovish tone and put cold water on the fears regarding a rate hike and early tapering, hence boosting the safe-haven appeal."


 

scrollToTop