<h1>Local currency edges up to 88.64 per dollar as oil softness and weak US dollar offset foreign fund outflows</h1> The domestic currency strengthened marginally to 88.64 per US dollar in early trade, aided by lower crude prices and a softer US dollar, but gains were limited by significant foreign fund outflows amid equity market selling. The prior session's sharp depreciation followed a 25-basis-point rate cut by the US central bank, which also signaled persistent inflation and labour-market uncertainty that may delay further easing. Benchmark oil futures and equity indices moved modestly, while foreign institutional investors recorded net equity sales, highlighting cross-border capital flow and monetary-policy risks that may affect exchange-rate volatility and market liquidity.