Rupee Declines 27 Paise to 90.95 Against US Dollar in Early Trade

Why It Matters

A weaker rupee raises import costs and inflation risk, while signaling heightened market sensitivity to geopolitical shocks and capital outflows.

Key Takeaways

• Rupee fell to 90.95 per dollar
• Dollar index rose to 97.89
• Brent crude up to $71.77 per barrel
• Sensex down 150 points, Nifty down 35 points
• Foreign investors sold Rs 880.49 crore equities

Pulse Analysis

The rupee’s slide to 90.95 against the dollar underscores how external variables—particularly a strengthening greenback and rising oil prices—can quickly erode India’s currency stability. The dollar index’s modest gain reflects broader global confidence in the U.S. currency, while Brent’s climb to $71.77 per barrel adds cost pressure on an import‑dependent economy. Together, these forces amplify the rupee’s vulnerability, especially when domestic equity markets echo the sentiment with notable sell‑offs.

Geopolitical tension between the United States and Iran has become a catalyst for market volatility, pushing risk‑averse investors toward safe‑haven assets. The prospect of heightened conflict fuels expectations of higher energy costs, which in turn depresses the rupee and triggers capital flight. Foreign institutional investors’ recent divestment of Rs 880.49 crore in Indian equities illustrates this risk‑off behavior, reinforcing the link between external shocks and domestic liquidity constraints.

For policymakers and corporate treasurers, the current environment calls for proactive hedging and close monitoring of foreign exchange exposure. While the Reserve Bank of India may intervene to curb excessive depreciation, sustained pressure from a strong dollar and volatile oil markets could compel tighter monetary measures. Understanding these dynamics is essential for businesses planning import‑heavy operations or investors assessing exposure to emerging‑market currencies.

Rupee declines 27 paise to 90.95 against US dollar in early trade

PTI · Last Updated: Feb 20, 2026, 09:44 AM IST

The rupee depreciated 27 paise to 90.95 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, weighed down by a strong American currency and higher crude oil prices due to escalated geopolitical tension.

A selling rush in domestic equities further pressured the Indian currency, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 90.94 and slipped further to trade at 90.95 against the greenback in early deals, losing 27 paise from its previous closing level.

The rupee had risen 4 paise to settle at 90.68 against the US dollar on Wednesday. The currency exchange markets were closed on Thursday on account of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.04 % higher at 97.89.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.14 % higher at USD 71.77 per barrel in futures trade.

Analysts attributed the strengthening dollar and crude prices to heightened tension between the US and Iran, with both countries signalling they are prepared for war if talks on Tehran's nuclear programme fizzle out.

On the domestic equity market front, Sensex fell 150.35 points to 82,347.79 in early trade while the Nifty declined 35.15 points to 25,419.20.

On Thursday, foreign institutional investors off‑loaded equities worth Rs 880.49 crore, according to exchange data.

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Synopsis

The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar on Friday, driven by a stronger dollar, rising crude oil prices, and geopolitical tensions. Domestic stock markets saw selling pressure, further impacting the rupee, while foreign investors off‑loaded equities. The dollar index and Brent crude prices both moved higher.