Rupee drops to two-month low of 96.31/$ as global bond rout deepens, oil jumps
The 10-year US Treasury yield, a yardstick for borrowing costs and asset prices globally, rose to 5.34%, its highest since 2002.
The Indian rupee plummeted to its lowest point in two months, falling to 96.3150 per dollar, after global bond yields soared to their highest levels in a decade and oil prices surged. This significant drop came as the rupee breached a key psychological barrier of 96, even with dollar sales by state-run banks attempting to contain the decline.
Major borrowing costs for countries from the US to Europe surged, putting strain on government finances and global markets. The 10-year US Treasury yield reached 5.34%, the highest since 2002, while Brent crude oil prices crossed the $100-per-barrel mark, buoyed by China's suspension of oil product exports. These factors triggered a 1% drop in Mumbai stocks and pushed the 10-year bond yield to its highest level in over two years.
The Indian government highlighted risks to inflation, the rupee, and capital flows due to supply disruptions, volatile energy prices, and global uncertainty. Exporters were cautious about hedging, while importers were advised to hedge during any dollar-rupee dips. Other Asian currencies also experienced a decline between 0.1% and 0.4%, while the dollar index rose 0.5% to nearly 102.
Investors are now anticipating a key US labor market report due on Friday, while Indian markets will remain closed for a local holiday.
Written by urgent.news from Hindu BusinessLine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
