The rupee breached the Rs 54 per dollar-mark in early trade today, tumbling by 61 paise to Rs 54.32 per dollar on sustained demand for the American currency from banks and importers amid a stronger dollar in the overseas market and persistent foreign capital outflows.
The rupee resumed lower at Rs 54.20/21 per dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange against its previous close of Rs 53.71/72 per dollar. It dropped further to Rs 54.32 per dollar before quoting at Rs 54.28/29 per dollar at 10.30 am.