Money market ended the final session of 2019 on firm note as the rupee held the present levels versus the dollar during the process of trading, dealers said.
In the second Asian trade, the dollar dipped to a near three-week low against the yen in thin year-end volume on Tuesday as investors favoured riskier assets, led by renewed optimism about global growth.
The greenback was off 0.2% at 108.64 against the Japanese yen, the weakest since Dec. 12 and on track for its third straight session of losses.
The dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of rivals, was a shade weaker at 96.695.
On Friday, the index had suffered its biggest one-day fall since March, which left its gains for the year at about 0.5%, compared with returns of 4.4% in 2018. It is now on track for the smallest rise since 2013.
Encouraging news on the Sino-US trade deal boosted risk sentiment in currency markets overnight.
The dollar was trading against the Indian rupee at Rs 71.280, the greenback was at 4.092 in terms of the Malaysian ringgit and the US currency was at 6.978 versus the Chinese yuan.
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Open Bid Rs 154.70
Open Offer Rs 155.00
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Bid Rate Rs 154.85
Offer Rate Rs 154.88
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Following lack of buyers' interest in the market, the greenback remained under pressure for another day and ended further lower for buying and selling at Rs 154.35 and Rs 154.90 against the overnight closing trend of Rs 154.60 and Rs 155.00 respectively, local currency dealers said.
On the contrary, the local currency maintained downward slide for the second consecutive day against the pound sterling. The pound's buying and selling rates further improved from the Monday's closing of Rs 201.20 and Rs 202.00 to Rs 202.00 and Rs 202.80 respectively, they added.
The dollar opened at Rs 155.15 (buying) and Rs 155.25 (selling) against last rate of Rs 155.10 (buying) and Rs 155.20(selling).
It closed at Rs 155.15 (buying) and Rs 155.25(selling).
The buying and selling rates of one tola of gold were Rs 84,400 (selling) and Rs 84,200 (buying) in the local Sarafa (gold) markets of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.