LD RUPEE 2 LST

The Reserve Bank, however, fixed the reference rate for
the US dollar at Rs 48.75 and for the euro at Rs 69.90.

Rupee premiums on the forward dollar ended higher on
fresh paying pressure from banks and corporates.

The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in
February ended at 56-1/2-58 paise, up from 55-1/2 - 57-1/2
paise on last Friday and far-forwards maturing in August also
ended higher at 115-116-1/2 as against 112-1/2-114-1/2 paise
previously.

In cross-currency trade, the local unit advanced further
against the pound and the Japanese yen while declined against
the Euro.

The rupee firmed up further against the pound to end at
Rs 79.90/92 per pound from the Friday's close of Rs 79.99/
80.01 per pound and also moved up against the Japanese yen to
Rs 52.32/34 per 100 yen from the last weekend's level of Rs
52.69/71 per 100 yen.

However, it reacted downwards against the euro to Rs
69.82/84 per euro from Rs 69.73/75 previously. PTI