Re falls for 2nd day, loses 14 p to end at 54.46 on $ demand

A firm US dollar overseas after the Federal Reserve's decision to expand monetary stimulus also weighed on the rupee while continued FII inflows worth USD 230 million in stocks restricted the fall to 14 paise, forex dealers said.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the rupee commenced strong at 54.15 a dollar against last close of 54.32. It immediately touched a high of 54.10 on early rise in equities and fresh dollar selling by exporters.

However, the rupee fell back on weakness in local stocks and dollar demand from importers, mainly oil refiners, to a low of 54.52. It finally setlled for the day at 54.46, showing a fall of 14 paise or 0.26 per cent.

Yesterday, it was down by six paise or 0.11 per cent.

Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO, Alpari Financial Services (India) said: "The rupee reversed the initial gains on dollar buying by oil importers and defence related payments. The weaker tone of domestic equity markets also weighed on rupee after the index heavy weights shed some of their recent gains."

Meanwhile, the Indian stock market benchmark Sensex today closed down by 126 points or 0.65 per cent, completing a five sessions of losses.

The dollar index, a gauge of six major global rivals, was up by 0.15 per cent in Europe today. (MORE)