Rupee loses 19 paise against US dollar in early trade

The Indian rupee lost 19 paise to Rs 49.13 per US dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on Tuesday due to appreciation of the US currency against other major rivals overseas and a weak opening in the domestic equity market.

Dealers attributed the rupee's fall to dollar gains against the euro overseas and a lower opening in the stock market.

The rupee had gained 7 paise to close at a two-week high of Rs 48.94/95 per US dollar in highly volatile trade on Monday on increased dollar supply.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex was down by 221.31 points, or 1.30 per cent, at 16,803.78 in opening trade on Tuesday.