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MUMBAI: THE rupee closed almost unchanged on Friday from the previous levels of 46.35/36 to the dollar in the forex market.

Dealers said that after opening the day at 48.3450/3550, the rupee slipped to a low of 46.36/37. "Although there were adequate dollar supplies in the market, most of it was mopped up by State-run banks'', said a forex dealer.

"Meanwhile, the euro has fallen by 100 basis points and was at 0.8670 cents, at the close of the market. One euro is equivalent to Rs 41.95,'' he said.

Forwards were relatively easy with the six-month premium closing at 5.90 per cent (5.97 per cent) and the 12-month premium at 5.57 per cent (5.68 per cent).

The security prices, which had opened weaker than previous day's closing levels, ended the day higher as renewed buying interest during the afternoon trade pushed prices up by 5-7 paise over morning levels.

The 11.50 per cent 2011 paper, which had opened at Rs 125.15/17, closed the day at Rs 125.25/28 and the 11.03 per cent 2012 paper ended at Rs 123.10/12 after opening at Rs 123.05. The 9.85 per cent 2015 ended at Rs 114.55/57 after opening at Rs 114.48/49.

Dealers said that markets were flat as players were unable to take a view on the direction that the market was heading towards.

According to one dealer, "prices had opened weak but in the afternoon sentiment improved as Reporting Friday passed without any particular difficulties in liquidity. Hence prices rose.''

In the inter-bank call money market, call rates closed in the range of 6.40-6.60 per cent. Dealers said that there might be some liquidity problems on Monday when the State Government loan commences.

In the three-day repo auction, RBI received and accepted five bids of Rs 1,110 crore at 6.50 per cent.

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