Rupee slips 30 paise to 71.94 against US dollar in opening trade

The Indian rupee declined by 30 paise to 71.94 against the US dollar in opening trade on Monday amid muted opening in domestic equities and strengthening of the American currency overseas. Besides, as investor sentiments remained fragile amid coronavirus fears.

China's death toll from the new coronavirus rose to 2,592 on Monday. Forex traders, however, said easing crude oil prices supported the local unit and restricted the fall to some extent.

The rupee opened weak at 71.94 at the interbank forex market, down 30 paise over its last close. The local unit however pared some initial losses and was trading at 71.83 against the US dollar at 0951 hrs.

The rupee had settled at 71.64 against the US dollar on Thursday. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell 2.51 percent to USD 57.03 per barrel.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net buyers in the capital markets, as they purchased shares worth Rs 1,495.25 crore on Thursday, as per provisional data. Financial markets remained closed on Friday on account of 'Mahashivratri'.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, rose by 0.29 percent to 99.55. The 10-year government bond yield was at 6.34 percent in the morning trade.

Equity market benchmark BSE Sensex fell 388.05 points to trade at 40,782.07 in openings deals on Monday. While the NSE gauge Nifty was down 123.65 points to trade at 11,957.20 in early trade.