On the back of rising demand, the dollar managed to make further ground against the rupee on the money market on Thursday in the process of trading activity, dealers said. The rupee held the almost overnight levels versus the dollar for buying and selling Rs 115.61 and Rs 115.62 respectively, they said.
The euro was hampered by concerns over an economic slowdown in the currency bloc and political risks in Italy, staying near a six-month low against the dollar and a nine-month nadir versus the yen.
"The minutes suggested the Fed is not in a hurry to raise interest rates. The US stock markets seem to like that they were not too hawkish," said Ayako Sera, market economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust bank.
The dollar was available against the Indian rupee at Rs 68.325, the greenback was trading at 3.981 against the Malaysian ringgit and the US currency was at 6.391 in terms of the Chinese yuan. Inter bank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Thursday: 83.70-83.70 (Previous 83.70-83.70).
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Open Bid Rs.118.20
Open Offer Rs.118.70
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Bid Rate Rs.115.61
Offer Rate Rs.115.62
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According to currency dealers, the short supply phenomenon of the greenback prevailed for another day in the currency market which helped its further appreciation for buying and selling at Rs 118.40 and Rs 118.70 as compared to the overnight closing trend of Rs 118.00 and Rs 118.50 respectively.
Versus the British pound, the national currency also followed the same suit in terms of trading. Consequently, the pound's buying and selling rates rose from Wednesday's closing of Rs 156.80 and Rs 158.20 to Rs 157.90 and Rs 159.00 respectively, they added.
The dollar opened at Rs 117.90 (buying) and Rs 118 (selling) against last rate of Rs 117.50 (buying) and Rs 118 (selling). It closed at Rs 117.90 (buying) and Rs 118 (selling).