CURRENCY OVERVIEW
The Rupee inchs higher at Thursday's open, tracking most Asian currencies after the Federal Reserve's policy decision and Chair Warsh's subsequent comments were read as modestly dovish by parts of the market. Markets had anticipated more hawkish dissents, and the smaller-than-expected number was seen as a dovish surprise by some analysts. The dollar’s weakness against Asian currencies should offer the rupee relief at a time when surging oil prices are keeping up pressure on the currency. The rupee has repeatedly relied on Reserve Bank of India intervention to limit deeper losses in recent sessions, a pattern evident again on Wednesday when the central bank sold ?dollars ahead of the market open. The 95.25-95.30 area remains an important resistance level for the dollar/rupee pair. A sustained break above it could invite further dollar buying, while continued RBI intervention will keep the pair range-bound despite the underlying pressure on the rupee. The US dollar steadied on Thursday after the Federal Reserve held interest rates as expected while hinting upcoming inflation data would influence future policy moves, leaving investors uncertain about the rates outlook. The Fed opted to delay any changes to borrowing costs until after next week's midterm election in a 10-2 decision, which came with an upgraded assessment of an economy that the central bank now says is growing at a "strong pace." The euro eased 0.15% to $1.1134 in early Asian hours after the common currency firmed 0.3% in the previous session following the Fed decision. Against the Japanese yen , the dollar was up 0.14% at 158.045 yen. Attention now shifts to central bank meetings in Europe and Japan. The European Central Bank will announce its decision later on Thursday, while the Bank of Japan concludes a two-day meeting on Friday. Both ?central banks are expected to leave interest rates unchanged. The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate for the first time in more than three years and said further increases might be needed to prevent soaring energy costs from fuelling inflation. The Canadian dollar last bought 1.399 per US dollar. Oil prices fell on Thursday, paring gains made a day earlier, as hopes for peace talks took the edge off renewed concerns over Middle East supply disruptions from escalating regional conflict. Brent crude futures declined $1.22, or 1.1%, to $114.10 a barrel at 0351 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down $1.33, or 1.3%, at $101.45. Brent rose 1.3% and WTI gained 3% on Wednesday. Some expectations of rising crude and diesel production from ?Russia weighed further on market sentiment and prices. Gasoline stockpiles rose by 3.9 million barrels, against analysts' expectations for a draw of 0.9 million barrels.
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