Indian Rupee flattens while flaring US-Iran tensions dampen outlook
- The Indian Rupee trades calmly at open against the US Dollar; however, the outlook has become uncertain.
- The exchange of attacks between the US and Iran has renewed Middle East tensions.
- Investors await the US-India CPI data for May.
The Indian Rupee (INR) opens almost flat against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday. The USD/INR pair consolidates around 95.42; however, the outlook of the pair has turned bullish as Middle East tensions have flared up again, following the United States (US) retaliation against Iran over the shooting down of an American helicopter.
Renewed US-Iran tensions have offered support to oil prices. As of writing, the MCX Crude Oil contract expiring on June 18 is up 0.8% to near 8,490. Oil prices also clawed back half of their early losses on Tuesday after sliding to 8,212.
Currencies from economies, such as India, which rely heavily on oil imports to meet their energy needs, tend to underperform in a high oil price environment.
US strikes after Trump vows retaliation over the shooting down of an Apache helicopter over Hormuz
On late Tuesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it launched a series of attacks on Iran’s air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage to almost 20% of global energy supply. The US was expected to conduct military operations against Iran as President Donald Trump vowed retaliation for shooting down a US Apache helicopter over Hormuz.
In response, Iran has launched missiles on various US airbases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and has warned Washington to leave the Gulf region for their own safety.
“Powerful armed forces will not ignore any attack or threat,” Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, adding, “Get out of our region if you want to be safe.”
FIIs remain net sellers on all trading days so far in June
Overseas investors continue to dump their stake in the Indian stock market, as Middle East tensions continue to hurt their sentiment towards risky assets. So far in June, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have remained net sellers in all trading days of June and have offloaded their stake worth Rs. 60,529.36 crore.
US-India CPI data under spotlight
Later in the day, investors will pay close attention to the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for May, which will be published at 12:30 GMT. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is expected to show that the headline CPI grew at an annualized pace of 4.2%, faster than 3.8% in April. In the same period, the core CPI – which excludes volatile food and energy items – is expected to have risen at a faster pace of 2.9% against the previous reading of 2.8%.
Signs of price pressures accelerating further would prompt expectations of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate hikes for the year. As of now, the CME FedWatch tool shows that the odds of the Fed delivering at least one interest rate hike this year are almost 72%.
Meanwhile, India’s CPI data on Friday is expected to arrive higher at 4% YoY from 3.48% in April.
Technical Analysis: USD/INR trades in a Symmetrical Triangle formation
USD/INR trades almost flat at around 95.43 at press time. The Symmetrical Triangle formation and pair's stickiness to the 20-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 95.46, reflects that the immediate trend has turned sideways.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) wobbles inside the 40.00-60.00 zone, suggesting indecisiveness among investors.
On the topside, immediate resistance is located near the downward-sloping border of the above-mentioned chart pattern at around 96.00. A decisive break above 96.00 would open the door for further upside towards the all-time high at 97.10. On the downside, initial support is seen at the upward support trend-line break level near 95.04, ahead of the structural trend-line origin around 94.49; a sustained drop below these marks would open the way for a deeper corrective phase, while holding above them would keep the broader constructive pattern intact.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Indian Rupee FAQs
The Indian Rupee (INR) is one of the most sensitive currencies to external factors. The price of Crude Oil (the country is highly dependent on imported Oil), the value of the US Dollar – most trade is conducted in USD – and the level of foreign investment, are all influential. Direct intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in FX markets to keep the exchange rate stable, as well as the level of interest rates set by the RBI, are further major influencing factors on the Rupee.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) actively intervenes in forex markets to maintain a stable exchange rate, to help facilitate trade. In addition, the RBI tries to maintain the inflation rate at its 4% target by adjusting interest rates. Higher interest rates usually strengthen the Rupee. This is due to the role of the ‘carry trade’ in which investors borrow in countries with lower interest rates so as to place their money in countries’ offering relatively higher interest rates and profit from the difference.
Macroeconomic factors that influence the value of the Rupee include inflation, interest rates, the economic growth rate (GDP), the balance of trade, and inflows from foreign investment. A higher growth rate can lead to more overseas investment, pushing up demand for the Rupee. A less negative balance of trade will eventually lead to a stronger Rupee. Higher interest rates, especially real rates (interest rates less inflation) are also positive for the Rupee. A risk-on environment can lead to greater inflows of Foreign Direct and Indirect Investment (FDI and FII), which also benefit the Rupee.
Higher inflation, particularly, if it is comparatively higher than India’s peers, is generally negative for the currency as it reflects devaluation through oversupply. Inflation also increases the cost of exports, leading to more Rupees being sold to purchase foreign imports, which is Rupee-negative. At the same time, higher inflation usually leads to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raising interest rates and this can be positive for the Rupee, due to increased demand from international investors. The opposite effect is true of lower inflation.
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