USD/INR DRIFTS HIGHER AHEAD OF US RETAIL SALES DATA

• The Indian Rupee softens in Thursday’s Asian session. 
• The continued selling of domestic equities by foreign portfolio investors weighs on the INR. 
• The US September Retail Sales will be the highlight on Thursday. 

The Indian Rupee (INR) trades with mild losses on the stronger US Dollar (USD) on Thursday. The significant outflows from Indian equities and USD demand from foreign banks and importers exert some selling pressure on the local currency. 

However, the decline in crude oil prices amid easing fears over supply disruption in the Middle East might support the INR as India is the world's third-largest oil consumer. Additionally, the routine foreign exchange interventions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could cap the downside for the Indian Rupee. 

Traders will keep an eye on the US Retail Sales data for September, which is due later on Thursday. Also, the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims, Industrial Production and Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey will be released.