Indian Rupee holds onto two-month high against US Dollar
- The Indian Rupee opens flat against the US Dollar on Wednesday after a strong Tuesday.
- Hawkish Fed bets could act as a headwind for the Indian currency.
- India’s growth outlook improves on expectations of strong festive demand.
The Indian Rupee (INR) opens flat at around 94.95 against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday, but is close to its two-month low of 94.80 posted the previous day. The Indian currency is expected to face selling pressure against the US Dollar, as the latter has strengthened due to increasing expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will tighten its monetary policy at the policy meeting this month.
As of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades 0.13% higher to near 99.80, the highest level seen in over two weeks.
Strategists at Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) said that Fed funds futures now “price in 67% odds of a 25bps hike on September 16 and imply 60bps of tightening over the next twelve months.”
De-anchored inflation expectations fuel hawkish Fed bets
Rising global inflation projections due to continuously surging oil prices amid fears of prolonged global energy supply disruption on the back of ongoing tensions between the United States (US) and Iran have boosted Fed interest rate hike expectations.
According to Kpler’s data, only five vessels passed through the vital waterway, well below the 10-day average of about 14 vessels, Al Jazeera reported.
Continuous exchange of attacks between the US and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage to almost one-fifth of global energy supply, has forced ship sailors to avoid the route.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Washington is striking Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for Iran’s "failed attempt" to add sea mines in the Strait, which currently “has no mines.” Trump added that the US base at Jordan successfully knocked down all eight missiles launched by Tehran.
US data awaited
Financial markets keenly await the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for August, which will be released on Friday. The official employment is expected to have a significant impact on Fed’s interest rate projections.
In Wednesday’s session, investors will focus on the US ADP Employment Change data for August, which will be published at 12:15 GMT. According to estimates, the US private sector created 48K fresh jobs, slightly higher than 44K in July.
Experts lift India’s growth outlook on stronger data and festive tailwinds
Strategists at Standard Chartered have raised their outlook for India’s economy, saying they now “revise our FY27 (year ending March 2027) GDP growth forecast to 7.2% from 6.6%.” They note that they had “previously highlighted upside risks amid reasonably strong economic activity despite the oil supply and price shock,” and the latest data have reinforced that view.
According to the bank, the upgrade “reflects stronger-than-expected Q1-FY27 (quarter ended June 2026) GDP growth of 7.8%, versus consensus – including us – of 7.3%; continued momentum in July, as indicated by our composite economic indicator; and the likelihood that activity and sentiment remain supportive into the festival season.” In line with the more upbeat tone of recent high-frequency data, Standard Chartered adds that “given the strength of high-frequency indicators so far, we now expect Q2-FY27 GDP growth of 7.4%, versus 6.6% previously.”
The bank still anticipates some moderation later in the fiscal year, cautioning that “we still expect growth to slow in H2-FY27, reflecting the adverse impact of El Niño on agricultural output and rural demand, higher inflation, and fading tailwinds from GST cuts delivered from September 2025.” Even so, they emphasise that “momentum should be stronger than previously expected,” and now “forecast H2-FY27 GDP growth of 6.7%, versus 6.5% previously.”
Technical Analysis: USD/INR stabilizes below 20-day EMA
In the daily chart, USD/INR trades at 94.95, maintaining a bearish near-term tone as spot holds below the 20-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 95.41. The pair is sliding away from this dynamic cap, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 35 suggests persistent downside momentum, hinting that buyers remain on the defensive despite intermittent pauses.
On the downside, the two-month low at 94.80 is the key support level; a decisive move below it could expose the pair to the June low at 94.15. Looking up, the 20-day EMA will act as a dynamic barrier for the pair.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
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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