Rupee gains as crude oil falls over 7%

Why is it in the news ?
    • The Indian rupee and bond prices extended gains after crude oil prices slumped to a near 16-month low.
    • Also after another open market operation(OMO) announced by the Reserve Bank of India(RBI to purchase OMO worth Rs.50,000 crore).
    • The rupee opened at 70.08, rising for the third consecutive session.
 
More in the news
    • Crude oil prices fell over 7% to hit a low last seen on August 2017 amid concern over a supply glut and pessimism on demand due to the trade war and slowing global economic growth.
    • Year to date, oil prices are down 15.3%.
    • They are currently down 34.5% from their 2018 peak of $ 86.29 per barrel seen on 3 October.
    • The announcement from RBI for further purchases of government securities  for total amount of Rs 50,000 crore also improved sentiment.
    • Continued buying interest from foreign investors in both equity and debt also helped the local currency.
    • In November, FII bought a combined of $1.76 billion and so far December they bought $677 million in equity and debt.
      What Experts say?
    • Lower oil is a clear positive for the Indian economy, even though the domestic fuel tax structure only allows partial pass-through of the sharp correction in international benchmarks.
    • For India’s external balances, lower oil prices imply some reprieve on the FY19 current account and balance of payments position.
Source
LiveMint.




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 19th Dec 2018