Rupee down 19 paise against dollar

MUMBAI: Extending losses for the third day in a row, the rupee depreciated by 19 paise to 55.88 against the dollar in early trade today on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on continued demand for the American currency.

Besides month-end dollar demand from oil importers, a lower opening in the equity market and euro's weakness against the US dollar overseas also put pressure on the rupee, forex dealers said.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 14.04 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 17,664.77.

The rupee had lost 19 paise to end at 55.69 against the dollar in yesterday's session on heavy month-end dollar demand from oil importers and a weak trend in equities.