RTRS:Rupee to open up on firm euro; oil payments eyed
(Reuters) - The rupee is expected to start a tad stronger on Thursday aided by a firmer euro, and traders will keep an eye on import payments.
* Oil importers are the biggest buyers of dollars in the domestic market and their demand usually picks up towards the close of each month.
* The euro rallied against the U.S. dollar in Asia on news Germany and France had agreed a joint position on a debt bailout for Greece, fuelling hopes for real progress after so many false starts.
* At 0233 GMT, the index of the dollar against six major currencies was down 0.05 percent at 74.746 points, while the euro was at $1.4240. At the close of local forex market on Wednesday, the dollar index was at 74.837 points and the euro at $1.4222.
* The partially convertible rupee is expected to open at around 44.42 per dollar and move in a 44.38-44.50 band, dealers said. It had closed 0.1 percent stronger at 44.45/46 on Wednesday.
* The MSCI index of Asian stocks ex-Japan was down 0.35 percent, while the Nifty India futures traded in Singapore were 0.23 percent lower, suggesting a negative start for local shares.
(Reporting by Shamik Paul; Editing by Ranjit Gangadharan)
