Re falls by 21 paise to 49.03/$ in early trades

The Indian rupee extended yesterday's weakness and depreciated by another 21 paise against the greenback in early trade today on fears of more capital outflows from the domestic bourses after Asian equity markets retreated.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic currency quoted weaker at 49.03 against the US currency, a fall of 21 paise over the previous close of 48.82/83 a $.

The domestic currency has yesterday ended 15 paise lower at 48.82/83 against the $.

Dealers said concerns of capital outflows by funds on fears that domestic stock markets may open in the negative zone, in tandem with other Asian bourses, mainly put pressure on the Indian rupee.

They said dollar's strength against other rival currencies also had some impact on the domestic currency.