Rupee falls to 95.68 against dollar

On August 18, 2026, the India — Indian rupee depreciated by 7 paise to close at 95.68 against the US dollar, extending its decline from the previous session. The currency was pressured by elevated crude oil prices, with Brent Crude trading above $90 per barrel, and lingering geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly the unresolved reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and delays in a US-Iran deal. Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 2,535 crore on Monday, the highest in three weeks, adding to the negative sentiment. The dollar index was slightly lower at 99.60, while the US 10-year Treasury yield remained elevated. Domestic equity benchmarks fell, with the Sensex declining 492.70 points to 77,235.46 and the Nifty dropping 132.75 points to 24,154.90. Analysts expect near-term sentiment to remain subdued due to elevated crude prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and foreign selling, though resilient domestic fundamentals and policy support could provide a constructive medium-term backdrop.