The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.10% to 96.11.
The rupee ended 13 paise lower at 75.16 against the US dollar in early trade on December 27 as domestic equities and frequent foreign fund outflows weighed on the local unit.
Forex traders said firming crude oil prices along with rising concerns over the Omicron version of the coronavirus and its impact on the economic recovery weighed on the local unit.
The rupee opened weak at 75.15 at the interbank foreign exchange, then slipped to 75.16 against the US dollar in opening deals, registering a fall of 13 paise from the previous close. The local unit also touched an opening high of 75.02 against the greenback in opening deals.
The rupee rose 23 paise to a three-week high of 75.03 against the US dollar on December 24.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share Sensex was trading 131.6 points or 0.23% lower at 56,992.71, while the broader NSE Nifty was trading 45.50 points or 0.27% lower at 16,958.25.
Forex traders said trading is likely to remain limited this week ahead of the year-end holidays.
The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.10% to 96.11.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.28% to $76.35 per barrel.
Foreign institutional investors remained net sellers in the capital market on December 24 as they sold shares worth ₹715.00 crore, as per exchange data.
India saw the highest single-day rise in omicron infections with 156 fresh cases, taking the total number of such cases to 578, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Monday.
Meanwhile, a Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) order stated that a night curfew will be imposed in Delhi from 11 pm on December 27, restricting the movement of persons, except in the exempted categories, because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The cases of -19 are on the rise and there is a threat posed by Omicron. ,
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