CITIGROUP says Indian corporate clients broadly expect the rupee to weaken further and are increasing allocations to hedges and structured FX products. Vandana Bhatter, head of corporate FX sales for Asia at Citigroup, said clients view longer-term rupee moves as tracking interest-rate differentials and are shifting into structures that offer protection while allowing participation if the rupee moves sharply. The rupee has fallen about 11% versus the dollar over the past year, the weakest perfor

CITIGROUP says Indian corporate clients broadly expect the rupee to weaken further and are increasing allocations to hedges and structured FX products. Vandana Bhatter, head of corporate FX sales for Asia at Citigroup, said clients view longer-term rupee moves as tracking interest-rate differentials and are shifting into structures that offer protection while allowing participation if the rupee moves sharply. The rupee has fallen about 11% versus the dollar over the past year, the weakest performance in Asia. Citigroup cites higher US tariffs on India last year, the Iran war and its impact on oil, and market expectations of a higher-for-longer Fed and stronger dollar as key drivers.