Rupee slips 5 paise on safe-haven dollar demand

Mumbai: The Indian rupee was largely flat on Wednesday, closing five paise weaker at 96.26, versus its previous close of 96.20. Safe haven dollar demand kept the rupee on a weaker footing, with mild central bank interventions containing further losses, traders said. The rupee traded in the range of 96.29 and 96.04, while Brent futures climbed 2% to $86.44 a barrel, as the US reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.