Rupee sheds 20 paise against dollar

The Indian rupee fell by 20 paise to Rs 51.90 per dollar in early trade today on fresh dollar demand from banks and importers.

The rupee resumed lower at Rs 51.84/85 per dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange, as against its previous close of Rs 51.70/71 per dollar, and fell further to Rs 51.90 per dollar before quoting at Rs 51.86/87 per dollar at 10:30 am.

The domestic currency moved in a range between Rs 51.60 and Rs 51.90 per dollar during morning deals.

Fresh dollar demand from banks and importers at current levels mainly affected the rupee value against the dollar, a forex dealer said.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices slid by 54 cents to $101.70 per barrel in early Asian trade as traders booked profits on the back of recent gains, with weak US energy demand dampening the market mood despite concerns over the situation in Iran and Nigeria, analysts said.