Rupee soars to 2-1/2 month high of 61.41/dollar

The rupee is trading at 61.41, its highest level since January 17 and above its close of 61.75/76 on Wednesday, on the back of positive sentiment about equity market inflows ahead of general elections next month.

The rupee is seen moving in a 61.40 to 61.60 range.

Almost all Asian currencies gained on easing worries about the standoff in Ukraine.

Traders say a narrower current account deficit is also helping the rupee slightly though the figure was widely expected.

Data post-market hours showed India's balance of payments swung back into surplus during the October-December quarter, helped by government curbs on gold imports, after two quarters in deficit.

Overseas investors bought Indian shares worth $119.46 million on Wednesday, extending their buying streak to a 14th consecutive day for a net of about $800 million, provisional exchange data showed.

The BSE Sensex is trading up 0.4 percent.

Copyright: Thomson Reuters 2014