Most other GCC stock markets also recorded positive performances thanks to strong performances from listed companies that helped build investors’ confidence
Search engine giant Google experienced a temporary malfunction on Wednesday with its currency exchange tool showing dirham-Indian rupee conversion rates much lower than they actually were, triggering a rash of enquiries from potential remitters, exchange houses said.
As per rates aggregated by Google, the Indian currency plunged to 24.83 versus the dirham. However, the rupee was at 73.48 against the dollar and no exchanges or banks reflected this plunge in rates. The prices fluctuated between Rs23 and Rs24.83 against one dirham.
Adeeb Ahamed, managing director, Lulu Financial Holdings, said Wednesday’s rumour of the rupee weakening is a glitch supposedly seen on online search engines.
“However, as financial service providers have accurate information of their own, it has not had any impact on this pattern.”
Ahamed said the rupee has been trading in a narrow range band of 8-12 paise for quite some time. It rested at 73.49 against the dollar.
“A correction in the Indian stock market is expected by most investors, and along with the recent increase in global oil prices, we foresee the rupee to test 73.84 and 74.05, as well as 74.30, probably by month-end, which translates to 20.10 - 20.20 against the UAE dirham,” said Ahamed.
In past, during such glitches, Google had stated that it “cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.”
The search engine has never claimed that their converter should be the only source of checking conversion rates, and the disclaimer tab covers everything from the delays in updating the rates of exchange to offering no guarantees on the displayed numbers.
— issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com
Most other GCC stock markets also recorded positive performances thanks to strong performances from listed companies that helped build investors’ confidence
Benchmark S&P 500 index rises 1.8 per cent
Spot gold was down 0.22 per cent at at 9.10 am
Spot gold was trading at $1,785.82 per ounce at 9.20am UAE time
Dubai’s main share index closed one per cent higher, with Shariah-compliant lender Dubai Islamic Bank rising 1.7 per cent and Dubai Investments up 5.6 per cent
The currency depreciated by 39 paise to close at 79.63 against the US currency on Monday
Spot gold was trading at $1,771.62 per ounce, down by 0.2 per cent at 9.15am
Analysts and forex experts caution that the political instability will continue to weigh on the rupee's future and may slow the recovery pace in coming days