Rupee ends at seven month low at 39.90/92 against USD

Mumbai, Feb 19 (UNI) The spot rupee today closed at a seven month low at 39.90/92 against the US Dollar, drifting by about 16 paise from its last finish on sustained brisk buying support of dollars by oil importers and foreign bankers, dealers said at the local forex market here today.

The Rupee today opened slightly weaker against the US Dollar at 39.79/80 as compared to the previous close of 39.77/78 on prospects of capital inflows amid jittery global risk appetite.

The partially convertible rupee resumed the day on a weak note, losing ground from the previous close. The benchmark sensex fell 0.4 per cent yesterday, snapping a three-day winning streak, dealers said.

The Reserve Bank of India today fixed the reference rate for the US dollar at Rs 39.87 and the reference rate for Euro at Rs 58.59.

The reference rates are based on cross currency quotes at noon, a RBI release said.

The exchange rates of Great Britain's Pound and Japanese Yen against the Rupee were given as Rs 77.7963 per pound and Rs 36.98 per 100 yen respectively.

Meanwhile, the six months and one year premium of Dollar was quoted lower at 0.17 (0.57) per cent and 0.67 (0.91) per cent respectively.

The Indian unit ended higher at 58.85/87 (58.14/16) against the Euro.Rupee closed high at 77.85/87 (77.52/54) per unit against the Pound Sterling. But it ended low at 37.18/20 (36.71/73) per hundred units against the Japanese Yen.

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