(Reuters) - The rupee is expected to open flat to marginally higher on Friday tracking other Asian peers and on expectations for firmer local shares, but the euro's losses versus the dollar could weigh.
* At 0250 GMT, the MSCI index of Asian stocks ex-Japan was up 0.15 percent while the Nifty India futures traded in Singapore were 0.8 percent higher, suggesting a higher start to the local market.
* The euro took a bit of a breather in Asia on Friday after this week's rally with market focus turning to an upcoming batch of economic data, now that Greece looked set to secure emergency funds and avert imminent bankruptcy.
* Almost all Asian units were stronger compared to the dollar.
* The index of the dollar against six major currencies was up 0.19 percent at 74.441 points, but below 74.473 at the end of the local forex market on Thursday.
* The partially convertible rupee ended 0.4 percent stronger on Thursday at 44.695/705 per dollar, but 0.25 percent weaker quarter-on-quarter.
* Traders expect the rupee to open around 44.65 and move in a 44.60 to 44.90 band.
(Reporting by Swati Bhat; Editing by Ranjit Gangadharan)
