USD/INR attracts some buyers amid firmer US Dollar, US Retail Sales eyed

• Indian Rupee drifts lower on the higher US Dollar and bond yields.
• The Reserve Bank of India’s Das said food inflation will be at the top of the central bank’s agenda.
• Investors await US Retail Sales ahead of the RBI’s Das speech at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 on Thursday.

Indian Rupee (INR) trades on a softer note on Wednesday amid the extended rally of the US Dollar (USD). Nonetheless, traders place their bets that the INR will break out of its trading range and rally this year as India gains the confidence of foreign exchange investors who believe the Indian Rupee could trample the Greenback.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Tuesday that food inflation can be volatile and will be on the top of the central bank’s agenda. WEF president Borge Brende stated that he sees India's growth story intact and running amid geopolitical tensions and a weak investment cycle.

Looking ahead, investors will keep an eye on US Retail Sales on Wednesday, which is estimated to show an increase of 0.4% MoM. On Thursday, the RBI governor Shaktikanta Das will share insights on key challenges and opportunities and his view on monetary policy at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 at Davos.

Daily Digest Market Movers: Indian Rupee remains resilient amid geopolitical tensions

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das said India's economic growth prospects remain robust and retail inflation is slowly moderating towards the 4% target.
• India’s December WPI inflation rose by 0.73% YoY from the previous reading of 0.26%, worse than the market expectation of 0.90%.
• India’s Wholesale Price Food Index arrived at 5.39% YoY in December.
• The Indian economy is predicted to grow by 8% this year, according to World Economic Forum (WEF) president Borge Brende.
• WEF’s Brende expects India will reach a $10 trillion economy, at least in the coming two decades.
• The US NY Empire State Index for January registered the lowest reading since 2020, coming in at -43.7 versus -14.5 prior, below the market consensus of -5.
• Fed Governor Christopher Waller said interest rate cuts are likely this year, but the central bank should not rush to cut its benchmark rate until it is clear lower inflation will be sustained.

Technical Analysis: Indian Rupee keeps the negative view intact in the short term

Indian Rupee trades weaker on the day. The USD/INR pair has maintained the 141.40-144.70 trading range since September 2023. The bearish mood prevails for USD/INR as the pair holds below the key 100-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily chart. The short-term patterns lean somewhat negative, supported by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) which stands below the 50.0 midpoint.

The immediate resistance level for USD/INR will emerge at the upper boundary of the trading range at 83.40. A decisive break above 83.40 will see extended gains to a psychological round mark at 84.00. On the downside, the initial support level is seen at the 83.00 figure. The key contention level to watch is near the confluence of the lower limit of the trading range and a low of September 12 at 82.80. Any follow-through selling will see a drop to a low of August 11 at 82.60, followed by a low of August 24 at 82.40.