Rupee down 21 paise against dollar in early trade

The rupee lost 21 paise to 61.15 against the dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market due to appreciation of the American currency against euro overseas.

Increased demand for the dollar from importers and a weak opening of the domestic equity market also put pressure on the rupee, forex dealers said.

The rupee had closed down by 9 paise to 60.94 per dollar in yesterday's trade which was in line with a fall in local stocks after five straight sessions of gains.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell by 20.59 points, or 0.09 per cent, at 21,805.83 in early trade today.