Overview

• The rupee settled 2 paise lower at 88.75 per dollar on Sep 24, its weakest-ever close after a third straight day of declines.
• In interbank trade, the currency opened at 88.80, touched a session high of 88.67, and finished at the day’s low.
• Traders cited U.S. tariff measures and a steep H‑1B visa fee hike as key pressures given risks to IT export earnings and persistent foreign fund withdrawals.
• Equity benchmarks fell for a fourth session, with the Sensex down 386.47 points to 81,715.63 and the Nifty off 112.60 to 25,056.90, as FIIs sold ₹2,425.75 crore.
• Commentary pointed to a near-term USD‑INR range of 88.40–89.25 and the possibility of RBI‑led dollar sales to curb volatility, while Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held trade talks in the U.S.