The rupee was trading weak by 18 paise at 61.26 against the dollar at 4.28 p.m. local time.

After opening weak by 21 paise to 61.29 against the US currency in early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today due to dollar’s gains against other currencies overseas, the domestic unit hovered in the range of 61.21 and 61.30 in the afternoon trade.

Forex dealers said besides dollar’s gains against other currencies, fresh demand for the American unit from importers and a weak domestic equity market put pressure on the rupee.

Yesterday, the domestic currency had gained nine paise to close at a one-week high of 61.08 against the greenback on fresh dollar selling by banks and exporters.

Meanwhile, the 30-share BSE index Sensex was trading at 25,837.65, down 43.12 points in the afternoon trade.