Indian rupee appreciated against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday aided by buying momentum in domestic equity markets and lower crude oil prices overseas. Traders took support as a SBI research report stated that India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is likely to reach 7.5 per cent or more in the second quarter of the current fiscal (Q2FY26), with the help of robust festive sales triggered by the GST rate cut in late September. Besides, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal has emphasised that the India-US partnership remains strong, stable and continuously expanding across strategic and economic sectors. On the global front, New Zealand dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, as traders speculated that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand or RBNZ is likely to cut its interest rate at its upcoming meeting next week.

Finally, the rupee ended at 88.56 (Provisional), appreciated by 4 paise from its previous close of 88.60 on Tuesday. The currency touched a high and low of 88.59 and 88.41 respectively.