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By Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ)
Rupee breached the 94/$ mark and touched its lowest level in April amid elevated crude oil prices, US dollar climbs, uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz and fading hopes of West Asia peace weighed on sentiment. Persistent FII selling in Indian equities further increased dollar demand, keeping the rupee under pressure for the fifth straight session.
The Indian rupee remained under pressure on Friday, breaching the 94-per-dollar mark for the first time in April. The currency fell for the fifth straight session, losing 24 paise to 94.25 against the US dollar in early trade, weighed down by volatile crude oil prices, a firm dollar and fading hopes of a clear resolution in West Asia.
Although a ceasefire remains in place between the United States and Iran, uncertainty over ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz has kept global fuel markets nervous. Tensions escalated after the US military reportedly seized another Iranian oil tanker on Thursday, intensifying the standoff and unsettling crude oil prices.
Adding to the anxiety, US President Donald Trump ordered the military to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines to block traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Guardian. Since the route is critical for global energy trade, any disruption tends to sharply influence crude prices and risk sentiment.
Persistent foreign fund outflows from domestic equities have further weakened investor sentiment. In the cash market, FIIs have offloaded more than ₹47,000 crore so far in April. On Thursday, FIIs recorded their highest single-day outflow since April 7, 2026, selling shares worth ₹3,354.71 crore.
This sustained withdrawal has triggered a sharp sell-off in equities and added further pressure on the rupee, as foreign selling often increases demand for dollars.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India has partially rolled back restrictions on certain rupee derivative trades, according to Reuters. These curbs were introduced earlier this month to slow the rupee’s slide after it touched successive record lows.
The RBI has withdrawn two key restrictions. First, authorised dealers, including banks and financial institutions, can again offer non-deliverable forwards to both Indian residents and overseas users. Second, the central bank has removed the ban on rebooking foreign exchange derivative contracts that were cancelled after April 1.
However, the easing is not complete. As per the Reuters report, authorised dealers are still not allowed to enter into rupee-related foreign exchange derivative contracts with their related parties. The only exceptions are the cancellation or rollover of existing contracts and transactions with unrelated non-resident users on a back-to-back basis.
Overall, the rupee’s breach of 94 per dollar reflects a combination of global geopolitical stress, elevated crude oil prices, and persistent FII selling in Indian equities.
SEBI Registered Research Analyst (INH000006396).
Founded in 1986, Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ) brings decades of experience in India’s equity markets. DSIJ's research combines fundamental analysis with price action, guided by disciplined risk management and capital preservation. They follow a structured, data-driven approach designed to help investors and traders make informed decisions beyond short-term market noise.
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This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market investments are subject to risks. DSIJ Wealth Advisory Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst (Reg. No: INH000006396) and Investment Adviser (Reg. No: INA000001142). Please consult your financial adviser before investing.
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