Rupee gains 2 paise to close at 81.78 against US dollar

The Indian rupee gained slightly, closing at 81.78 against the US Dollar on Thursday due to the weak dollar in overseas markets, support from foreign fund inflows, and crude oil prices staying below $75 a barrel. Opened at 81.68, the rupee reached an intra-day high of 81.65 and a low of 81.84. The dollar index, which measures the US dollar against a basket of six other currencies, slipped 0.04% to 101.30 after the Federal Reserve hinted at a pause in its interest rate hike cycle, and Brent crude futures rose 0.98% to $73.04 per barrel.