CURRENCY OVERVIEW

The Rupee closed weak on Tuesday, pressured by weakness in its regional peers and likely outflows from local equities, although the Reserve Bank of India's intervention helped curb sharp declines, traders said. Asian currencies fell between 0.1% and 0.4%, while the dollar index was at 103.9, hovering close to its highest level in two months. Expectations of a less dovish U.S. rate cut cycle and the rising odds of a second presidential term for Donald Trump have boosted the dollar and U.S. bond yields in recent sessions. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to a near-three-month-high on Tuesday and was at 4.20%, while the dollar index has risen more than 3% this month. Foreign investors have sold nearly $10 billion, on a net basis, of local stocks so far in October, on course for a record monthly outflow. Sterling hit a fresh 2-month low against the dollar on Tuesday while investors remained focused on the central banks' easing paths and the possible outcome of the U.S. elections. Sterling was last down 0.05% at $1.2883, after hitting its lowest since mid-August at $1.2967. The pound has so far benefited from the Bank of England's cautiously hawkish tone, signalling a more gradual cutting cycle relative to peers, while UK growth was outperforming relative to the euro area. The single currency rose 0.14% to 83.41 pence per euro. The repricing of the euro area policy rate outlook, with investors discounting some chances of a 50 basis points rate cut in December, was weighing on the single currency last week. Oil prices rose to $75 a barrel on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as investors weighed the impact of China's stimulus measures to boost its economy, while concerns over conflict in the Middle East persisted. Brent crude futures for December delivery were up 43 cents, or 0.6%, to $74.72 at 1319 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for November delivery were up 49 cents, or 0.7%, at $71.05 a barrel on the contract's last day as the front month.

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