Indian rupee gains 29 paise against US dollar, ends at 61.44

The Indian rupee strengthened for the third day in a row on Friday, adding 29 paise to 61.44 against the US dollar, on continued expectations the US government shutdown would delay tapering of the Fed's stimulus programme.

Dollar sales by exporters amid positive local stocks also supported the rupee, which is up 107 paise, or 1.71 per cent, this past week.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market, the rupee resumed lower at 61.85 and dropped to a low of 61.95 on initial hesitancy in local equities. It bounced back to a high of 61.25 before closing at 61.44, a gain of 29 paise or 0.47 per cent.

This is the highest close for the rupee since reaching 61.43 on August 14.

The US government shutdown entered its fourth day on Friday as efforts to break the political standoff between Republicans and Democrats over the budget failed to make any headway.

Foreign investors may pull out from emerging markets, including India, if the Fed eases its monthly $85 billion bond-buying programme as the US economy revives.

"Continuous weakness in the US dollar supported the rupee," said Abhishek Goenka, CEO of India Forex Advisors. "Rupee was seen gaining amid bets that the prolonged shutdown of the US government would further delay any tapering of the Federal Reserve's massive stimulus."

The 30-share BSE Sensex closed 13.88 points higher after a choppy session as talks on the US budget and debt limit continued without any indication of a resolution. Foreign institutional investors bought a net $188.26 million of shares on Thursday.

"The trading range for the USD-INR pair is expected to be within 61.00 to 62.50," said Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO of Alpari Financial Services (India).

with inputs from PTI