New Delhi, August 30: The Indian Rupee on Thursday hit a record of all-time low of 70.87 to the US dollar due to strong month-end dollar demand from oil importers and foreign fund outflows. On Wednesday, the rupee crashed by a staggering 49 paise or 0.70 per cent to close at a historic low of 70.59 against the US currency. The rupee previously had closed at a record low of 70.16 to the dollar on Monday. The rupee has fallen by 10 per cent this year so far – making it the worst-performing currency in Asia.

This is the biggest single-day crash since August 13 when the unit crumbled 110 paise or 1.6 per cent. According to a PTI report, the slide was triggered by factors like crude prices hitting multi-month highs fuelled by supply shocks along with concerns over widening current account deficit (CAD).

“Focus will now shift to India’s GDP and fiscal deficit data due to be released on Friday. A near-term range for the rupee is 70.20 and 70.75,” Rushabh Maru, Research Analyst, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers.

Reports inform that the plunge in the value of rupee comes on the back of strong US consumer confidence data which surged to its highest level since October 2000. After Thailand's baht, the Indian rupee is the worst performing currency in Asia.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2018 09:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).