USD/INR strengthens ahead of US PCE inflation data

• The Indian Rupee softens in Friday's Asian session. 
• Month-end US Dollar demand, fears of a global trade war and higher oil prices weigh on the INR. 
• The US February PCE inflation data will take center stage later on Friday. 

The Indian Rupee (INR) remains weak on Friday, pressured by month-end US Dollar (USD) demand from importers. US President Donald Trump late on Wednesday announced a 25% tariff on automotive imports, set to take effect on April 2. This, in turn, lifts the Greenback and undermines the Indian currency. Rising crude oil prices also contribute to the INR's downside as India is the world's third-largest oil consumer.   

However, positive domestic markets and foreign fund inflows might help limit the local currency's losses. Investors will keep an eye on the US February Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data, which is due later on Friday. This report could offer some hints about the trajectory for further rate cuts after the Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision last week to hold its benchmark interest rate steady.

Indian Rupee weakens amid month-end US Dollar demand 

• The Indian economy is estimated to achieve a growth of 6.5% in FY25 despite considerable external headwinds, according to the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance.
• Trump's threat to impose 25% tariffs on all goods entering the US from countries importing Venezuelan gas or oil, brandished on Monday, could have disastrous consequences for the Indian economy, per Le Monde. 
• Trump said that tariffs will likely be more "lenient than reciprocal," as next week's tariff deadline looms for a number of levies to go into effect.
• The US economy expanded at an annual 2.4% pace in the final three months of 2024, the third release of the figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed Thursday.  This figure came in slightly better than the previous estimate of fourth-quarter growth. 

USD/INR paints a negative picture under the 100-day EMA

The Indian Rupee trades in negative territory on the day. The negative view of the USD/INR pair remains in play, with the price being capped below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily timeframe. The downward momentum is reinforced by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which stands below the midline near 31.0, suggesting that further downside looks favorable. 

The first downside target for USD/INR is located at 85.56, the low of March 26. If bearish momentum builds below this level, it could trigger more selling and drag the pair down toward 84.84, the low of December 19, followed by 84.22, the low of November 25, 2024. 

On the other hand, the crucial upside barrier to watch is in the 85.90-86.00 zone, representing the 100-day EMA and the psychological level. A strong move above the mentioned level might even pave the way for a run at 86.48, the low of February 21, en route to 87.00, the round figure.