MARKET NEWS
Asia’s worst-performing currency is set for a rocky start to 2026 - CNBC
Key Points
- The rupee has emerged as Asia worst-performing currency amid trade uncertainty with U.S and foreign investor outflows this year.
- The Indian currency is expected to touch 92 rupee against the dollar by end of March 2026.
- Foreign portfolio investors withdrew $18.5 billion in Indian equities on a year-to-date basis.
The Indian rupee moved in a narrow band on Monday as steady interbank dollar bids blunted positive cues from improved risk appetite globally.
Wong Yu Liang | Moment | Getty Images
The lack of progress on the U.S.-India trade deal, compounded by persistent outflows in foreign funds, has weighed on the rupee this year, making it Asia’s worst-performing currency.
The world’s fifth largest economy could see its currency drop to 92 against the dollar by end-March, Nomura and S&P Global Market Intelligence forecast, with any strengthening largely hinging on a trade deal with the U.S. The rupee was last trading at 89.6 against the dollar.
“We believe the rupee to be undervalued currently, with correction anticipated after there is more clarity on the U.S.-India trade agreement,” said Hanna Luchnikava-Schorsch, S&P Global Market Intelligence’s head of Asia-Pacific economics.
The S&P Global unit expects a trade deal over the next six months.
India is among the highest tariffed countries in the world at 50% — levies that dwarf even those on China — as trade talks between New Delhi and Washington continue to drag on.
After steep tariffs came into force in August, India’s exports to the U.S. fell nearly 12% in September and 8.5% in October, though they rebounded sharply in November, rising 22.6%.
The main economic risk is that India could lose the momentum in supply chain shifts from firms that cater mainly to the U.S. market, due to sustained high tariffs, said Sonal Varma, Nomura’s chief economist, India and Asia ex-Japan.
“Prolonged uncertainty has led to foreign portfolio outflows, and a weaker rupee can affect import costs and inflation,” she added.
A weak rupee though could make exports more competitive, with low price growth in the country also allowing it to absorb the impact of imported inflation due to currency depreciation.
