Rupee hits new record low of 56.50 against dollar

Traders said apart from capital outflows by foreign funds, strengthening of dollar against the euro, which plunged to a two-year low on continued euro-zone worries and strong month-end demand from importers, particularly oil refiners, mainly put pressure on the rupee.

Yesterday, the rupee had lost 57 paise to close at record low of 56.24 despite RBI's efforts to prop it up.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex plunged over 148 points, or 0.91 per cent, to 16,164.00 in early trade today.