The Indian rupee closed flat on Thursday, as comforting U.S. inflation data helped offset concerns over escalating global trade tensions that have dampened risk appetite.
The rupee rose to 87 ending with 0.24% gains on Thursday, March 13, 2025.. The 1-month non-deliverable forward (NDF) indicated that the rupee would open at around 87.20-87.22, little changed from its previous close of 87.2075.
The dollar index remained steady at 103.78, supported by an uptick in U.S. bond yields. This stability came despite softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data for February, which showed consumer prices rising less than anticipated.
The data initially raised hopes of Federal Reserve rate cuts, but traders have since scaled back expectations, now pricing in about 70 basis points of cuts in 2025, down from 76 basis points earlier.
Meanwhile, global trade tensions escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a hike in tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to 25%, vowing to reclaim wealth “stolen” by other countries.
In retaliation, Canada imposed stiff taxes on a range of U.S. products, including textiles, water heaters, beef, and bourbon. The European Union (EU) also announced plans to raise tariffs on American goods such as beef, poultry, bourbon, motorcycles, peanut butter, and jeans.
On the domestic front, India’s retail inflation fell below 4% in February for the first time in six months, reaching a seven-month low of 3.61%. The decline was driven by easing prices of vegetables, eggs, and other protein-rich items.
This drop in inflation has created room for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to consider further rate cuts in upcoming policy meetings.
Additionally, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) showed a rebound in manufacturing activity, with growth accelerating to 5% in January 2025, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
The domestic equity market witnessed a decline on Wednesday, with the 30-share BSE Sensex ending 200.85 points (0.27%) lower at 73,828.91.
The broader Nifty also settled 73.30 points (0.33%) down at 22,397.20 points. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,627.61 crore on a net basis, according to exchange data.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 0.37% lower at $70.69 per barrel in futures trade. The decline in oil prices provided some relief to India, a major oil importer, but global trade tensions and market volatility continue to weigh on investor sentiment.
While the rupee remains resilient amid mixed global cues, the escalating trade war and fluctuating inflation data are key factors to watch.
Domestically, the drop in retail inflation and improved industrial production offer a silver lining, potentially paving the way for further monetary easing by the RBI.
However, the equity market’s performance and foreign investor activity will remain critical indicators of India’s economic trajectory in the coming months.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Mar 13, 2025, 5:36 PM IST
Dev Sethia
Dev is a content writer with over 2 years of experience at Business Today, Times of India, and Financial Express. He has also contributed stories in Hindi for BT Bazaar and Khalsa Bandhan News Paper. A journalism postgraduate from ACJ-Bloomberg, Dev enjoys spending his spare time on the cricket pitch.
Know MoreWe're Live on WhatsApp! Join our channel for market insights & updates