The rupee fell 39 paise to 51.17 against dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market in early trade today following strong month-end demand for the US currency from importers.
Dealers said the dollar’s gains against the euro and other currencies overseas, strong month-end demand for the American currency from oil importers mainly weighed on the rupee sentiment. A weak opening in the equity market also impacted the rupee sentiment, they said.
The domestic unit had ended lower by 9 paise at 50.78/79 against the dollar yesterday.
The BSE benchmark Sensex dipped below 17,000 level, losing 169.35 points or 0.94 per cent to 16,952.27 in early trade today.