The Rupee opened weaker at the open on Wednesday after posting its biggest single-day rise in seven years following the U.S. trade deal, with traders flagging potential dollar buying by large corporates. The rupee's trade deal–driven rally stalled near the 90-mark threshold, a level bankers said was expected to trigger heavy dollar buying by importers. The currency hit an intraday high of 90.0450 before easing, as a major Indian conglomerate and other large corporates were seen buying dollars, according to bankers. On the capital flows front, early signals were positive. Foreign investors, who had largely been selling in January, turned buyers on Tuesday, purchasing around $600 million of Indian shares, according to preliminary data. The U.S. dollar was steady on Wednesday as investors remained cautious after a partial government shutdown swiftly ended while the yen wobbled near a two-week low ahead of what is shaping up to be an unpredictable national election over the weekend. Investors have also been relieved as the appointment eased some of the concerns over the Fed's independence after Trump's constant attacks on the central bank and current Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The euro was at $1.1814 in early trading, while sterling stood at $1.3693, steady ahead of policy meetings at the European Central Bank and the Bank of England on Thursday. Both central banks are expected to stand pat on rates. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against six major currencies, was at 97.43, not far from the one-week high of 97.73 it touched on Monday. The index fell 1% in January after dropping 9.4% last year. Trump late on Tuesday signed a spending deal into law that ends a partial U.S. government shutdown after four days, although crucial employment data that was due on Friday will be delayed because of the shutdown. The yen was slightly softer at 156.06 per dollar on Wednesday, inching closer to its weakest since January 23, when the currency strengthened sharply from 159.23 amid speculation the New York Federal Reserve was conducting rate checks, which could mean a possible intervention in the yen market. The prospect of a joint U.S.-Japan intervention to boost the yen has broadly pulled the currency back from the brink, although the yen's fate hangs in the balance ahead of this weekend's Japanese election. The Australian dollar was at $0.7028 after a sharp 1% rise in the previous session as the Reserve Bank of Australia hiked interest rates, leaving markets wagering further hikes would be needed this year. The New Zealand dollar edged lower at $0.604. Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday after the U.S. shot down an Iranian drone and armed Iranian boats approached a U.S.-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, rekindling fears of an escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. Brent crude futures were up 56 cents, or 0.8%, at $67.89 per barrel at 0400 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 63 cents, or 1.0%, at $63.84 per barrel.......