The Rupee opened slightly weaker on Wednesday, tracking subdued regional peers as investors await the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision and equity outflows temper recovery hopes for the unit. Traders reckon the rupee has entered a near-term phase of range-bound trading after falling to an all-time low of 90.42 last week. The ongoing stalemate in U.S.-India trade talks has been a persistent sore spot for the rupee, hampering exports to India's largest market and denting foreign inflows into domestic stocks. Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Rick Switzer is slated to visit India on December 10-11, as New Delhi looks to reduce punitive tariffs imposed on its goods. Meanwhile, foreign investors net sold over $300 million of Indian stocks on Tuesday, adding to the near $18 billion worth of outflows over the year so far. The Fed is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points later in the day and investors will parse the U.S. central bank's policy commentary and future interest rate projections to gauge the path for borrowing costs in the world's largest economy. The yen looked punch-drunk on Wednesday after a sudden spill overnight, pressured by wide interest rate differentials between Japan and the rest of the world even as its central bank is widely expected to tighten policy next week. The dollar was broadly steady and moves in other currencies were muted ahead of a key Federal Reserve policy decision later in the day, where investors are wagering on a cut in what is likely to be one of the most fractious meetings in years. The yen was little changed at 156.82 per dollar, after a 0.6% fall towards the 157 level in the previous session despite no obvious trigger. Against the euro, the Japanese currency similarly sank to a record low overnight and remained pinned near that level on Wednesday. The Aussie held to Tuesday's 0.8% gain against the yen . The Bank of Japan (BOJ) meets next week and is expected to raise interest rates, though focus will also be on what Governor Kazuo Ueda says about the future policy path. In the broader market, all eyes were on the Fed's decision due later in the day, in which a 25-basis-point rate cut is almost fully priced in. Ahead of the outcome, the euro was little changed at $1.1625, while sterling ticked 0.03% higher to $1.3301. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six key rivals, was firm at 99.23. Apart from the rate move, traders will also be focused on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell says and how many cuts the dot plot will lay out for 2026. In other currencies, the Australian dollar bought $0.6643, having risen to a near three-month high in the previous session on hawkish comments from Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock. The New Zealand dollar eased 0.05% to $0.5776. Gold gained on Tuesday as traders remained optimistic ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, while silver rose to hit an unprecedented $60 per ounce milestone amid supply constraints. Spot gold rose 0.6% to $4,211.77 per ounce by 03:21 p.m. ET (2021 GMT). U.S. gold futures for February delivery settled 0.4% higher at $4,236.2 per ounce. Oil prices held steady on Wednesday after falling about 1% in the previous session, as concerns over supply outpacing demand capped gains and investors watched for progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Brent crude futures were up 11 cents, or 0.2%, to $62.05 a barrel at 0241 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $58.38 a barrel, up 13 cents, or 0.2%.......
More