Firmness prevailed on the money market on Wednesday as the rupee sustained it's overnight levels in relation to the dollar in the process of trading, dealers said. The rupee retained last levels in relation to the dollar for buying and selling at Rs 104.85 and Rs 104.86, they said.
The Fed minutes due to be released later on Wednesday could either reinforce or undermine recent hawkish comments from central bank policy makers.
Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said late on Monday in a speech in Singapore that she would be comfortable raising rates at this point if the economy maintained its current performance.
Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker also told reporters on Monday that he would support an interest rate increase at a mid-March policy meeting as long as inflation, output and other data until then continue to show the US economy is growing.
The dollar was 0.2 percent lower at 113.45 yen, edging away from its peak of 114.955 yen touched a week ago, which was its highest since late January. The dollar was trading against the Indian rupee at Rs 66.88, the greenback was at 4.4540 in terms of the Malaysian ringgit and the US currency was available at 6.8795 versus the Chinese yuan. Inter bank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Wednesday. 79.30-79.30 (previous 79.30-79.30).
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Open Bid Rs.107.10
Open Offer Rs.107.30
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Bid Rate Rs.104.85
Offer Rate Rs.104.86
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According to currency dealers, the US dollar commenced trading on its overnight closing of Rs 107.30 and Rs 107.60 as its buying and selling rates, respectively. At the close, the dollar did not witness any change in its demand and supply situation which helped the local currency stabilise. Consequently, its opening rates prevailed till close of trading at Rs 107.30 and Rs 107.60, respectively, they added.
Furthermore, the rupee failed to sustain as it registered reduction versus the pound sterling. The pound's buying and selling rates rose from the Tuesday's closing rates of Rs 132.60 and Rs 133.35 to Rs 133.00 and Rs 134.00, respectively, they said.
The dollar opened at Rs 108.10 (buying) and Rs 108.20 (selling) and it closed at the same rate. Pound Sterling opened at Rs 130 (buying) and Rs 131.50 (selling). It closed at the same rate.