Rupee falls 48 paise on dollar demand

In tune with the sharp fall in local equities, the rupee lost 48 paise to end the day at 49.79/80 against the dollar, snapping straight four sessions of gains.

Fresh dollar demand from importers, mainly oil refiners, to meet their month-end requirements weighed against the rupee sentiment, but signs capital inflows limited the fall to some extent, a forex dealer said.

Bonds settle mixed
The government securities (G-Sec) recovered smartly on fresh buying from banks and corporates. The 8.79 per cent (G-Sec) maturing in 2021 shot up to Rs 103.32 from Rs 102.85 last Friday, while its yield dipped to 8.28 per cent from 8.35 per cent.

Call rate firms up
The call rate held unchanged on the overnight call money market on Monday on matching demand and supply. The overnight call money rate finished stable at its last Friday's closing level of 9.10 per cent after moving in a range of 9.25 per cent and 8.75 per cent.