Rupee hits one-year low of 56.58, tumbles 20 paise vs dollar

Falling for the fourth day in a row, the rupee declined by 20 paise to hit one-year low of 56.58 against the dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on increased demand for the American currency from importers.

Besides, a weak opening in the local equity market put pressure on the rupee but the euro's gain against the dollar, capped the losses, traders said.

The rupee had lost 21 paise to end at new 10-month low of 56.38 against the dollar yesterday on fag-end spurt in dollar demand after RBI Governor D Subbarao painted a dim macroeconomic picture.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 150.27 points, or 0.74 per cent, at 20,065.