The rupee improved further against the dollar on the money market on Wednesday in process of trading activity, dealers said. The rupee held the week-long levels versus the dollar for buying and selling at Rs 141.39 and Rs 141.40, they said.
In the third Asian trade, the dollar hovered near a 22-month high against its peers on Wednesday, after strong US housing data further eased concerns of a slowdown in the world's biggest economy.
The dollar index versus a basket of six major currencies stood at 97.602 after rising to 97.777 overnight, its highest since June 2017.
Data showing sales of new US single-family homes jumped to a near 1-1/2-year high in March on Tuesday added to recent positive readings in retail sales and exports.
The euro, which has the largest weighting within the dollar index, was a touch lower at $1.1219 after shedding 0.25 percent the previous day.
US first quarter GDP data on Friday could strengthen the case that while the current period of global expansion is in its late stages, the United States is on a firmer footing compared with other leading economies.
The dollar was steady at 111.885 yen after suffering mild losses overnight, weighed by a decline in long-term Treasury yields.
The dollar was trading against the Indian rupee at Rs 69.845, the greenback was at 4.131 in terms of the Malaysian ringgit and the US currency was available at 6.723 versus the Chinese yuan.
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Open Bid Rs.141.50
Open Offer Rs.142.00
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Bid Rate Rs.141.39
Offer Rate Rs.141.40
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According to currency dealers, the greenback gained 10 paisas and ended higher for buying at Rs 141.80 against the opening rate of Rs 141.70 whereas it did not observe any change for selling at Rs 142.30.
Furthermore, the rupee continued to keep going up for the second consecutive day versus the pound sterling. The pound's buying and selling rates further slid from the Tuesday's closing of Rs 183.50 and Rs 184.50 to Rs 182.55 and Rs 183.50 respectively, they added.
The dollar opened at Rs 141.80(buying) and Rs 141.90(selling) against last rate of Rs 142 (buying) and Rs 142.10 (selling). It closed at Rs 141.80 (buying) and Rs 141.90 (selling).
The buying and selling rates of one tola of gold was Rs. 70,000 (selling) and Rs 70,200 (buying) in the local Sarafa (gold) markets of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.