USD/INR to drift down towards 81.50 by year-end – Commerzbank

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

Year-to-date, INR is down 0.3% vs. USD. Economists at Commerzbank analyze Rupee’s outlook.

RBI is expected to leave rates unchanged for the rest of the year

We project USD/INR to drift down towards 81.50 by year-end. The main reasons include: Continued strong economic performance; Positive real interest rates. Inflation has moderated steadily since the peak of just under 8% in April 2022 to an average of 5.8% so far this year. RBI has hiked by 250bp to 6.50% since May 2022. This implies positive real interest rates at around 70 bps; A stabilization in CNY volatility and stable to lower oil prices should also aid INR.

RBI is in a wait-and-see mode and there is no incentive for a marked change in policy anytime soon. Nevertheless, RBI would need to stay vigilant on food prices and will continue to keep a close eye on the monsoon season.

Source: Commerzbank Research

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

EUR/USD stays below 1.1850 after dismal German sentiment data

EUR/USD stays in negative territory below 1.1850 in the second half of the day on Tuesday. Renewed US Dollar strength, combined with a softer risk tone keep the pair undermined alongside downbeat German ZEW sentiment readings for February.

GBP/USD falls toward 1.3550, pressured by weak UK jobs report

GBP/USD remains under bearish pressure and extends its decline below 1.3600 on Tuesday. The United Kingdom employment data suggested worsening labor market conditions, bolstering bets for a BoE interest rate cut next month and making it difficult for Pound Sterling to stay resilient against its peers.

Gold recovers modestly, stays deep in red below $4,950

Gold (XAU/USD) stages a rebound but remains deep in negative territory below $4,950 after touching its weakest level in over a week near $4,850 earlier in the day. Renewed US Dollar strength makes it difficult for XAU/USD to gather recovery momentum despite the risk-averse market atmosphere.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP upside looks limited amid deteriorating retail demand

The cryptocurrency market extends weakness with major coins including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) trading in sideways price action at the time of writing on Tuesday.

UK jobs market weakens, bolstering rate cut hopes

In the UK, the latest jobs report made for difficult reading. Nonetheless, this represents yet another reminder for the Bank of England that they need to act swiftly given the collapse in inflation expected over the coming months.

Stellar mixed sentiment caps recovery

Stellar price remains under pressure, trading at $0.170 on Tuesday after failing to close above the key resistance on Sunday. The derivatives metric supports the bearish sentiment, with XLM’s short bets rising among traders and funding rates turning negative.