USD/INR recovers some lost ground ahead of Indian WPI, US CPI data

• Indian Rupee loses momentum on the firmer USD, higher crude oil prices. 
• India's retail inflation has eased to a three-month low in January from December's four-month high of 5.69%.
• India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Food, Fuel, and Inflation for January will be the highlight on Tuesday ahead of US CPI data.

Indian Rupee (INR) weakens on Tuesday amid a stronger US Dollar (USD) and a bounce back in crude oil prices. The Indian economy showed evidence of resilience at the start of the year, with Industrial Production improving and inflation falling, according to data published on Monday.

India's inflation dropped to a three-month low in January due to the cooling of food prices. The inflation rate has stayed within its tolerance range of 2–6% for the fifth consecutive month. Food inflation came in at 8.30% in January versus 9.53% in December. 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained its inflation forecast for FY24 at 5.4% at its February meeting, despite  concerns on rising food prices and uncertainty around crude oil prices. The Indian central bank further stated that it expects inflation to reach 5% in the current quarter ending March 31.

Looking ahead, India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Food, Fuel, and Inflation for January will be released on Wednesday. On the US front, market players will closely monitor the January CPI report on Tuesday. Later this week, the Retail Sales and Producer Price Index (PPI) for January will be due on Thursday and Friday, respectively. 

Daily Digest Market Movers: Indian Rupee remains sensitive amid multiple headwinds

• India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 5.10% YoY in January from 5.69% in the previous reading, better than the market expectation of 5.09%. 
• Indian Industrial Production for December improved to 3.8% YoY compared to the previous reading and the consensus of 2.4%. 
• Indian Manufacturing Output came in at 3.9% MoM in December, versus 1.2% prior. 
• India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 5.736 billion to USD 622.469 billion for the week ended February 2, according to the Reserve Bank of India. 
• Several Fed officials suggested that they want more time to observe whether inflation continues to decline.  
• The US CPI headline inflation is estimated to ease from 3.4% to 2.9% YoY, and the core figure is forecast to drop from 3.9% to 3.7% YoY.

Technical Analysis: Indian Rupee moves up within a multi-month descending trend channel

Indian Rupee trades on a weaker note on the day. USD/INR remains stuck within a multi-month descending trend channel of 82.70–83.20.

In the short term, the bearish outlook of USD/INR remains intact, as the pair is below the key 100-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily chart. The downward momentum is supported by the 14-day Relative Strength Index, which stands below the 50.0 midline, indicating the sellers are likely to stay in control.

The initial support level of the pair is seen near a low of February 2 at 82.83. Further south, the key contention level will emerge near the lower limit of the descending trend channel at 82.70. A potential bearish breakout below this level could drag the pair lower to a low of August 23 at 82.45, followed by a low of June 1 at 82.25.

On the bright side, the confluence of the upper boundary of the descending trend channel, the psychological round figure, and the 100-period EMA at the 83.00–83.05 regions will be the critical resistance levels to watch. A decisive break above this zone will see a rally to a high of January 18 at 83.20, en route to a high of January 2 at 83.35, and the 84.00 psychological level.