Rupee losses against dollar swell, down 18 paise at 65.28

The rupee struggled at a fresh 6- month low of 65.28 -- down 18 paise -- against the dollar today, faced with heavy demand for the American currency from importers and banks, as foreign capital rushed out.

A firm dollar, dealers said, against global currencies overseas and domestic equities hitting a soft patch in early trade weighed.

Yesterday, the rupee had plunged 31 paise to close at a 6-month low of 65.10 after heavy buying of the US currency and concerns on the macro-economic front.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell by 59.12 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 31,567.51 in early session.