MUMBAI: The Indian rupee ended little changed on Thursday, as traders steered clear of aggressive directional bets on the currency, while routine dollar demand from importers blunted positive cues from an uptick in Asian peers.
The South Asian currency has largely settled between 85 and 86 over the last two weeks, amid muted foreign portfolio flows and as traders await cues from ongoing US-India trade. On the day, the rupee settled at 85.6350, barely changed from its previous close at 85.6725.
Asian currencies were a tad higher on the day, while the dollar index treaded water around the 97.5 mark.
As tariff threats continue to roll out of the US, investor sensitivity to policy changes appears to have reduced, with many wagering that the extended reciprocal tariff deadline gives countries room to negotiate.