Rupee down 19 paise against dollar

The Indian rupee depreciated 19 paise to Rs 44.55 against the American currency in the early trade on Tuesday,  on good dollar demand from banks and importers amid an improved dollar performance overseas.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local currency opened lower at Rs 44.42/43 per dollar, against the overnight closing level of Rs 44.36/37 per dollar.

It slid further to Rs 44.55/dollar before quoting at 44.47/48 a dollar at 10.30 am.

Firming up of dollar against Asian currencies along with fresh demand for the American currency from banks and importers affected the rupee value against the dollar, a forex dealer said.

The Indian benchmark Sensex moved down 24 points, or 0.12 per cent, in the early trade.

In Tokyo, the US dollar edged higher against most of its currency rivals in Asia, ahead of Group- 20 finance ministers' meeting later this week.