Monday, September 24, 2018

INR update: Eco affairs secretary thinks Rupee should be between 68-70



US10-2Y spreads widened to 27bps, the highest in a month indicating a pickup in risk appetite while the 10Y yields have started edging towards the resistance of 3.1%. With trade threats becoming real, the chances are that import tariffs and strong US growth are likely to keep US prices elevated ensuring that the FED stays on a rate hike path for the visible future. This week FOMC is likely to hike by 25bps but the most important aspect of the meeting would be the dot plots and fine prints on yields and neutral rate.

The economic affairs secretary for India believes that the fair value of Rupee is near 68-70 with an outer limit of 72. This is very different from what the same person believed a month ago, which goes to show how difficult it is to value a currency. But what the comments do indicate is that the government now aims to keep INR depreciation under control. With the selloff in EM currencies having cooled off globally the task might not be as difficult as it could have been 3 weeks back. The likely measure could be an oil swap window.

USDINR 1m NDF is trading 6.5p right as compared to 4p right on Friday. Most EM currencies have depreciated moderately since last week’s close as dollar regained some ground. Oil prices are touching $80  while Indian equities don’t show the nervousness seen last Friday. In the medium term it seems that USDINR will trade in the range of 72.85-71.50 with a possibility of a break lower. CMP 72.56, Range 72.69-72.30.

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