RUPEE GAINS HIGHER TO SETTLE AT 72.74 AGAINST DOLLAR

Rupee strengthened against most of the currency in the basket. The rupee gained 13 paise against the US dollar on Friday, to settle at 72.74, ahead of the release of key macro-economic data - consumer inflation and industrial production, amid sustained foreign capital inflows. The domestic unit opened at 72.80 against the dollar and registered an intra-day high of 72.72. It registered a low of 72.83. Rupee gained strength amid softening of crude oil prices and steady FII inflows.

On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex ended 12.78 points or 0.02 per cent higher at 51,544.30, while the broader NSE Nifty slipped 10 points or 0.07 per cent to 15,163.30.

USD traded up against EUR, JPY, AUD, GBP. USD traded down against INR, CNY, HKD.