The rupee closed slightly higher at 55.61 as steady demand for dollars from oil importers did not allow the rupee to appreciate much.

The domestic unit opened almost steady at 55.65 (from previous close of 55.67) as Asian markets and the euro also held firm, pending US Federal Reserve announcement on further monetary stimulus on Friday.

The markets are also glued to developments in the Euro Zone with a key policy meeting scheduled on September 6 to discuss measures to contain the debt crisis.

On the domestic front, parliamentary logjam has hit the progress of key reforms. Also, India will announce the first quarter GDP growth rate on Friday. The rupee is likely to react to the data which is expected to come around the 5.3-5.5 per cent mark, according to analysts.

Call rates, G-Secs

The interbank call rates closed slightly higher at 8 per cent from the previous close of 7.95 per cent.

The 8.15 government security, maturing in 2022, closed almost flat at Rs 99.79 from the previous close of Rs 99.82. Yields at both rates remained unchanged at 8.17 per cent. The bond market might see a frenetic activity on Friday, with the Reserve Bank of India set to auction bonds worth Rs 15,000 crore.

satyanarayan.iyer@thehindu.co.in

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