Snapping a three-day downward move, the rupee on Wednesday ended six paise higher at 61.59 versus the dollar on hopes that weak US jobs data would result in the Fed extending its economic stimulus.
However, the hefty initial gains of the rupee, which had jumped to 61.05 intra-day, were substantially erased on month-end demand for US dollars from private oil firms and some defence-related purchases, amid fall in domestic stocks.
The rupee resumed sharply higher at 61.10 per dollar as against the last closing level of 61.65 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market and moved up further to 61.05 per dollar.
However, the rupee failed to maintain initial gains and ended at 61.59 per dollar, clocking a marginal gain of six paise or 0.10 per cent from its last close.
The rupee had fallen by 42 paise or 0.69 per cent in previous three days.
"Rupee was seen opening on a very strong note supported by dollar weakness and a rally in global stock markets.
“However, later during the day dollar demand by private oil company and by defence put pressure on the rupee.
“In addition to this, Indian stock markets were seen trading in red," said Abhishek Goenka, Founder & CEO, India Forex Advisors.
US data showed on Tuesday that employers there added 148,000 workers in September -- lower than the 170,000-180,000 jobs estimated by experts.
This spurred speculation that the US Federal Reserve will not cut economic stimulus this year.
The $85-billion-a-month stimulus has led to a surge of capital inflows into emerging marklets like India.
Meanwhile, crude oil prices extended their losses in Asian trade today as dealers focused on rising stockpiles that indicate weak demand in the world's biggest economy, analysts said.
New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in December, slipped 16 cents to $98.14 a barrel.
