Rupee Rises 5 Paise to Close at 90.67 Against US Dollar

Why It Matters

The move signals continued resilience of the rupee amid external pressures, influencing import costs and investor sentiment in emerging‑market portfolios. It also highlights the delicate balance Indian policymakers must maintain between capital inflows and global commodity price shocks.

Key Takeaways

• Rupee closed at 90.67 per dollar, up 5 paise.
• Foreign fund inflows and strong equity markets boosted rupee.
• Rising crude oil and a firmer dollar capped appreciation.
• RBI intervention kept dollar range‑bound in interbank market.
• Sensex rose 283 points; foreign investors bought ₹995 crore equities.

Pulse Analysis

The rupee’s modest rally to 90.67 per dollar underscores the interplay between capital flows and domestic market momentum. Recent foreign institutional purchases, nearly ₹1 trillion in equity, reflect confidence in India’s growth trajectory and have provided a cushion against external headwinds. Simultaneously, the Indian equity indices posted solid gains, with the Sensex and Nifty advancing over 280 and 90 points respectively, reinforcing the narrative that a strong stock market can act as a catalyst for currency appreciation.

Nevertheless, the broader macro environment remains a constraint. Global crude oil prices nudged higher, pushing the Brent benchmark above $67 a barrel, which adds pressure on India’s trade deficit and could erode the rupee’s gains if the trend persists. At the same time, the U.S. dollar index ticked up, reflecting robust U.S. economic data and renewed foreign investment interest. These factors collectively limited the rupee’s upside, illustrating how commodity price volatility and dollar strength continue to shape emerging‑market currency dynamics.

Looking ahead, the Reserve Bank of India’s stance will be pivotal. While officials have signaled willingness to intervene to prevent excessive volatility, the central bank must balance this with the need to maintain ample liquidity for growth. Investors should monitor foreign fund flows, oil price trajectories, and RBI policy cues, as these will dictate whether the rupee can sustain its current trajectory or face renewed pressure in the coming weeks.

Rupee rises 5 paise to close at 90.67 against US dollar

Higher global crude oil prices and a strengthening greenback capped sharp gains in the local unit, forex traders said · Updated · February 18, 2026 at 03:58 PM

The rupee rose 5 paise to close at 90.67 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday driven by inflow of foreign funds and positive domestic equity markets. However, higher global crude oil prices and a strengthening greenback capped sharp gains in the local unit, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 90.60 against the US dollar and traded in a narrow range of 90.60‑90.71 before settling at 90.67 (provisional), higher by 5 paise against its previous close. The rupee gained 2 paise to settle at 90.72 against the US dollar on Tuesday.

“The rupee remained range‑bound with the dollar being protected by the RBI,” said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.08 per cent higher at 97.22.

“The dollar index was slightly higher, and analysts expect scope for a near‑term rebound after a prolonged slump. Strong US growth and foreign investment interest supported the dollar,” Bhansali added.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.22 per cent higher at $67.57 per barrel in futures trade.

On the domestic equity market front, Sensex jumped 283.29 points to settle at 83,734.25, while the Nifty advanced 93.95 points to 25,819.35. On Tuesday, foreign institutional investors turned net buyers and purchased equities worth ₹995.21 crore, according to exchange data.

Published on February 18, 2026