Rupee closes at 81.18 against US dollar amid surge in crude oil prices
The rupee appreciated 18 paise to close at 81.18 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday on broad dollar weakness.
However, weak domestic equities and a surge in crude oil prices capped sharp gains for the local currency, forex traders said.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened strong at 81.24, and settled for the day at 81.18 (provisional), registering a rise of 18 paise over its previous close.
During the trading session, the local unit witnessed an intra-day high of 81.09 and a low of 81.28 against the American currency.
On Thursday, the rupee closed at 81.36 against the US dollar.
The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, advanced 0.21 per cent to 102.26.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.48 per cent to USD 86.57 per barrel.
According to Anuj Choudhary - Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, the Indian rupee appreciated on Friday on soft US dollar and FII inflows on ...