Rupee closes high at 44.66/67 per US dollar

Mumbai, Dec 14 (UNI) The Rupee today closed higher by 12 paise and was quoted at 44.66/67 against the US dollar as compared to the previous close of 44.78/79 on sustained heavy selling pressure of dollars by Foreign banks and local investors, dealers said.

Dealers said the Rupee drew strengthen on the back of rise in stock indices and dollar selling by foreign banks and exporters. The Rupee was steady in the morning trade due to yen's weakness against major currencies and mild dollar buying from oil firms. Markets expect the Rupee to appreciate further to levels of 44.60 against US dollar in the days to come.

Forward premia rose during the day due to payings coming in by importers. Six months and twelve months premia ended at 3.03 per cent (2.74 per cent) and 2.61 per cent (2.49 per cent) respectively.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today fixed the reference rate at Rs 44.74 per US dollar, up by nine paise from yesterday's rate of Rs 44.83 per US dollar, a RBI spokesperson here said.

However, the performance of the domestic unit against other currencies was mixed. The Rupee closed down against Euro at Rs 58.89/91 (59.39/41) per unit. Against the Pound Sterling, it was at Rs 87.67/68 (88.26/28) per unit and against the Japanese Yen, it was at Rs 37.97/99 (38.23/25) per 100 units, dealers said.

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