Rupee continues slide; hits new low of 73.80 against US dollar

Continuing with its slide, the rupee on Thursday slipped past the crucial 73.50 levels to open at 73.70 against the US dollar. Minutes later, the currency bled further and slipped to 73.80.

The domestic currency on Wednesday plunged by 43 paise to breach the historic low of 73 level as soaring crude oil prices fuelled worries over capital outflows and widening current account deficit. The domestic currency closed at a record low of 73.34, down by 43 paise or 0.59 per cent at the interbank foreign exchange.

Sharp volatility in the domestic equities and steep FIIs outflows from equity and debt segments keeping sentiments bearish for the rupee, said Rushabh Maru - Research Analyst , Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers. "The dollar index is hovering around multi-months high as the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates aggressively. Focus would now shift to the RBI monetary policy meeting. There is a buzz of repo rate hike by 25 bps and possible change in the monetary policy stance by the RBI. More importantly, its guidance will be crucial. Market will also keenly watch whether the RBI announces any crucial measures to stabilize the rupee. In the near term, the rupee might trade in 72.50 and 73.80 range," Maru added.

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Petrol, diesel prices to fall soon? Govt may have found solution; 10 points

Petrol and diesel prices may fall soon as the government is mulling a 'windfall tax' on oil and gas companies for any revenue that they earn from prices crossing $70 a barrel. Subsequently, this tax revenue will be used to pay fuel retailers like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) to absorb the hike in fuel prices.

Meanwhile, oil prices continued to rally upwards for the 12th day straight on Friday with petrol and diesel being hiked by 32 and 18 paise, respectively.

According to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), revised petrol prices in metropolitan cities are: Delhi (Rs 77.83 per litre), Mumbai (Rs 85.65 per litre), Kolkata (Rs 80.47 per litre), and Chennai (Rs 80.80 per litre). The revised diesel prices are: Delhi (Rs 68.75 per litre), Mumbai (Rs 73.2 per litre), Chennai (Rs 72.58 per litre), Kolkata (Rs 71.30 per litre).

Petrol prices at all time high; high diesel prices hurt garment industry

The President of Garment Manufacturers and Wholesale Association of Telangana, Pavan Bansal, on Monday said that the recent rise in diesel prices was affecting the garment industries all over the country. Bansal said, "Diesel rates have increased more than Rs. 10 in the last four years. This will impact the garment industry negatively raising the product of the price of the materials. It will lead to huge losses for the traders."

He added that diesel was an important commodity for the industries as it was more affordable than petrol prices.

Highlighting the importance of the fuel, Bansal further said, "Diesel is used in several industries on a daily basis, whether it is garment or manufacturing industry. Our materials come from all over India. We send garment materials to neighbouring states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. We also sell the materials in local areas."

He also criticised the increase of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on raw products as it was becoming an additional burden on the traders.