Indian Rupee Hits Record Low Of 79.15 Per Dollar

Data late on Monday showed India’s June trade deficit widened to a record USD 25.63 billion, pushed by a rise in crude oil and coal imports, from USD 9.61 billion a year ago

The Indian rupee weakened further in afternoon trade on Tuesday to touch a fresh record low against the U.S. dollar as concerns of a wider current account deficit came to the forefront after the country’s June trade deficit hit a record high. Data late on Monday showed India’s June trade deficit widened to a record USD 25.63 billion, pushed by a rise in crude oil and coal imports, from USD 9.61 billion a year ago. The partially convertible rupee was trading at 79.13/14 per dollar by 0822 GMT, after hitting a life low of 79.15. It had touched the previous record low of 79.12 last week and had closed trading at 78.95 on Monday.

(Reuters)