Indian rupee ended weaker against US dollar on Monday, due to significant dollar demand amid higher crude oil prices triggered by the volatile geopolitical situation. Sentiments weakened with latest data by the Reserve Bank of India showing that India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $1.9 billion to $653 billion, around six months low, in the week ended December 13. The reserves fell to their lowest since June 28. Some concern also came with Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Member Nagesh Kumar’s statement that the ongoing economic slowdown in the country has become serious enough to demand immediate policy attention. Advocating for 25 basis points (bps) cut in the repo rate during the December MPC meeting, he highlighted the urgent need to address the dual challenges of declining growth and inflationary concerns. On the global front, the euro edged lower against the dollar on Monday, while markets continued to digest the recent string of central bank meetings that pushed the dollar to a two-year high and set expectations for globally diverging rate cut paths in 2025.
Finally, the rupee ended at 85.11 (Provisional), weaker by 7 paise from its previous close of 85.04 on Friday. The currency touched a high and low of 85.13 and 85.02 respectively.