Rupee may breach 96-97 per dollar by year-end despite RBI measures, says Barclays’ Mitul Kotecha

The Indian rupee is facing renewed pressure to weaken, with Barclays predicting it could breach the 96-97 per dollar mark by the end of the year. This outlook suggests that despite recent steps taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to stabilize the currency, the rupee may struggle to maintain its gains.
This potential depreciation is largely driven by external factors. Elevated crude oil prices and a slowdown in foreign portfolio investment are expected to continue weighing on the rupee. These factors create a challenging environment for the currency, as they increase the demand for dollars to pay for oil and reduce the inflow of foreign capital.
Investors should monitor the RBI's future interventions and the trend in global crude oil prices. Any significant shift in these areas could alter the rupee's trajectory. Keeping an eye on the RBI's balance sheet and the pace of foreign investment flows will be crucial for gauging the currency's stability.
Excerpt from CNBC-TV18
Published On Oct 12, 2026 | 15:20 IST Last Updated On Oct 12, 2026 | 15:20 IST Barclays forecasts the rupee could weaken past 96 against the dollar by year-end due to persistent macroeconomic pressures like high crude prices and trade deficits, despite recent RBI measures to curb speculative trading and support the…Read the original at CNBC-TV18
Key takeaways
- Category: Economy.
- AI reads the tone as negative (potentially bearish) for the stock.
- Flagged as a high-impact, market-moving story.
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