Markets

Indian rupee hits another new record low

Published May 24, 2012 Updated May 24, 2012 07:49am

MUMBAI: India's rupee slid to a new all-time low against the dollar for the seventh straight day on Thursday, due to global uncertainty and concern over the domestic economy.

The Indian unit fell to a record low of 56.36, against the previous level of 56.21, before clawing back to 56.1 levels in early afternoon trade.

The local currency -- down 10 percent in the new financial year -- has been falling despite several suspected interventions by the central bank in the forex markets this year.

A declining rupee and high crude oil prices have exacerbated the current account deficit for India, which imports up to four-fifths of its oil needs.

India's state-run oil firms on Wednesday announced a steep hike in petrol prices to offset growing losses caused by subsidised rates, rises in the international oil price and the rupee's losses.

Shares of India's state-run oil firms rose by between 4-5 percent on Thursday at the Bombay Stock Exchange, reacting to the price rise.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2012