• The Indian Rupee (INR) posts modest gains on the softer US Dollar on Thursday. 
• Significant inflows into Indian markets might support the INR, while renewed US Dollar demand could cap the upside. 
• Investors await the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims, Housing data, and Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, which are due on Thursday. 

The Indian Rupee (INR) trades with mild gains on Thursday amid the modest decline of the US Dollar (USD). The INR depreciation on Wednesday underscores the pressure from local importers and oil companies demanding USD. Furthermore, the rise in crude oil prices might contribute to the INR’s downside as India is the third largest consumer of crude oil in the world, after the United States and China. 

Nonetheless, the significant inflows into Indian equities and bond markets could boost the INR in the near term. Meanwhile, the speculation that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) might cut the interest rate two times in 2024, beginning in September, might undermine the Greenback and create a headwind for the pair.

Looking ahead, the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims, Building Permits, Housing Starts and the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index will be released on Thursday. The attention will shift to the Indian HSBC Manufacturing and Services PMI on Friday, along with the US S&P Global PMI reports.