USD/INR drifts higher ahead of Indian GDP, US PCE data

• Indian Rupee trades softer on the rising month-end demand of USD. 
• India’s GDP for October-December 2023 is expected to slow to 6.5% from 7.6% in the previous quarter.
• The US January Core PCE and Indian GDP growth numbers will be the highlights on Thursday. 

Indian Rupee (INR) trades in negative territory on Thursday amid increased month-end demand for the US Dollar (USD). Some traders speculate that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) might be actively acquiring Dollars in recent sessions, which might limit the pair in a tight range. However, robust economic fundamentals, the pullback in oil prices, and moderation in domestic inflation might provide some support to the INR. 

The Statistics Ministry will release India’s GDP data for October-December 2023 on Thursday, which is estimated to slow down to 6.5% from 7.6% in the previous quarter. If the report shows a stronger-than-estimated outcome, this could boost the Indian Rupee and weigh on the USD/INR pair. 

The US Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Index (Core PCE) for January, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, will be in the spotlight on Thursday. Additionally, US Personal Income, Personal Spending, Pending Home Sales, and the weekly Initial Jobless Claims are also due later in the day. On the Indian docket, the GDP quarterly for Q3 and GDP annual growth numbers on Thursday could provide fresh catalysts for the USD/INR pair. 

Daily Digest Market Movers: Indian Rupee weakens amid uncertainties and global factors

• The RBI estimated Indian GDP to grow at 6.5% for October-December 2023, while the ICRA predicted 6%.
• Indian GDP expanded by 7.6% in the July-September quarter (Q2) of FY 24 and 4.5% in Q3 of FY 23. 
• The US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter grew at a 3.2% annualized rate from a 3.3% in the previous reading, weaker than the estimation of a 3.3% expansion.
• The New York Federal Reserve (Fed) President John Williams said that even though there's still some distance to cover in achieving the Fed 2% inflation target, the door is opening to interest rate cuts this year, depending on how the data come in. 
• Investors have priced in 80 basis points (bps) of rate cuts this year, lower than 175 bps priced in around mid-January.

Technical Analysis: Indian Rupee remains within the longer-term range between 82.70 and 83.20

Indian Rupee edges lower on the day. USD/INR remains contained within a multi-month-old descending trend channel of 82.70–83.20 since December 8, 2023. 

USD/INR maintains a bearish outlook in the near term as the pair is still below the 100-day Exponential Moving Average on the daily timeframe. Additionally, the downward momentum is supported by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which holds in the negative zone below the 50.0 midline. 

The lower limit of the descending trend channel at 82.70 will be the first downside target for the pair. A decisive break below this level could expose a low of August 23 at 82.45, followed by a low of June 1 at 82.25.

On the other hand, the confluence of a psychological round mark and the 100-day EMA at 83.00 will be the potential resistance level for USD/INR. The additional upside filter to watch is the upper boundary of the descending trend channel at 83.20. A break above the mentioned level would have an opportunity to fire up their bullish momentum. USD/INR could get enough fuel to hit a high of January 2 at 83.35, and finally at 84.00.