Rupee ends flat at 45.61/62 against dollar

Mumbai, Feb 3 (PTI) Amid a surge in stock markets,the Indian rupee today ended flat against the US currency ascrude prices soared to USD 103 a barrel in Asian trade.

Forex dealers said there was strong demand for dollarfrom oil importers in view of soaring rise in global crude oilprices due to instability in Egypt.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market here,the domestic unit opened slightly lower at 45.64/65 a dollarfrom the previous close of 45.62/63.

Later, it moved in a very narrow breadth between 45.57and 45.66 before settling the day at 45.61/62.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex, meanwhile,ended sharply higher by 358.69 points or 1.98 per cent,boosting the rupee sentiment.

The dollar index of six major currencies was up by about0.2 per cent in European market today.

The rupee premium for the forward dollar ended slightlyweak on sustained receivings by exporters. The benchmarksix-month forward dollar premium payable in July closed a tadlower at 139-141 paise from 140-142 paise on Wednesday.

Far-forward contracts maturing in January also finished abit down at 268-270 paise from 269-271 paise previously.

The Reserve Bank of India has fixed the reference ratefor the dollar at Rs 45.63 and the euro at Rs 62.96.

The rupee recovered slightly to Rs 73.96/98 against thepound sterling from Wednesday''s close of Rs 73.99/74.01 andalso recouped to Rs 62.79/81 per euro from Rs 63.08/10previously.

However, it improved further against the yen to Rs52.82/84 per 100 yen from its last close of Rs 55.93/95. PTIVMP SBP