Rupee closes weaker at 40.45/46 against USD

Mumbai, July 31: Rupee today closed at 40.45/46 per dollar, down by nearly eight paise against the previous close of 40.37 per dollar.

Rupee started the day at 40.45/46 per dollar and later touched a day's high of 40.43 per dollar in the afternoon session and closed at its opening value at 40.45/46 against the US currency.

Moreover, a general slowdown was observed today in all the major markets but the Indian unit is expected to strengthen in coming sessions due to increase in inflows, said dealers.

Forward premia for six-month premia ended at 1.82 per cent, while annualised premia closed at 1.79 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the reference rate for today at Rs 40.55 per US dollar, down by eleven paise, compared to its yesterday's rate of Rs 40.44 per USD, a RBI spokesperson said.

Rupee showed mixed performance against major world currencies today. Against Euro, it ended at 55.17/18 per unit. Against Pound Sterling, it closed at 81.82 per unit, while against the Japanese Yen, it was quoted at 34.06/07 per hundred units each.

UNI