The rupee on Wednesday lost 19 paise to 61.50 against the dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange market due to appreciation of the US currency against other currencies overseas ahead of Federal Reserve policy decision.
Increased month-end demand for the dollar from importers also put pressure on the rupee but a higher opening in the domestic equity market capped the fall, forex dealers said.
The rupee had gained 21 paise to close at 61.31 against the dollar in Tuesday’s trade after the RBI hiked a key interest rate to curb price rise and enhanced liquidity for banks.
Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex regained 21,000 level by rising 100.25 points, or 0.48 per cent, at 21,029.26 in early trade on Wednesday.