Forex reserve at record high of $365.82 billion

Country's forex exchange reserves surged by USD 73.2 million to touch a life-time high of USD 365.82 billion in the week to August 12, helped by increase in foreign currency assets, the Reserve Bank said today.

In the previous week, the reserves had increased by USD 253.6 million to touch USD 365.75 billion.

Foreign currency assets (FCAs), a major component of the overall reserves increased by USD 81.6 million to USD 340.36 billion.

FCAs, expressed in dollar terms, include the effect of appreciation/depreciation of non-US currencies such as euro, pound and yen held in the reserves.

Gold reserves remain unchanged at USD 21.58 billion.

The country's special drawing rights with International Monetary Fund declined by USD 3.2 million to USD 1.49 billion, while the reserve position was down by USD 5.2 million to USD 2.39 billion, RBI said.

Sensex adds to gains for second day on sustained foreign fund inflows

The benchmark BSE Sensex continued its rising trend by gaining 89 points to 28,212.30 in early trade Friday on sustained foreign fund inflows.

The 30-share index rose 88.86 points or 0.31 percent to 28,212.30. The gauge had gained 117.07 points in the previous session.

Also, the NSE Nifty was quoting 23.35 points or 0.26 percent higher at 8,673.25.

All the sectoral indices, led by IT, teck and PSU were trading in the positive terrain with gains up to 0.77 percent.

Brokers said sentiment remained positive on the back of persistent capital inflows by foreign funds and widening of positions by retail investors.

However, a weak trend in other Asian markets forced investors on the domestic bourses to keep their activity restricted, they added.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei index was down 0.07 percent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.27 percent in morning trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.13 percent up in yesterday's trade.