Re down 26 paise against $ in early trade

The rupee weakened by 26 paise to Rs 44.57 against the US dollar in the early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange today as the American currency firmed up against other international currencies.

Besides, demand for dollars from importers and weak sentiment on the stock markets pushed down the rupee.

The rupee remained stable at Rs 44.31/32 against the $ in the previous session despite steep fall in stock prices.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 113.34 points or 0.55 per cent to 20,475.75 in the opening trade today.