Rupee down 31 paise against US dollar

Mumbai, Sep 15: The Indian rupee was down 31 paise at Rs 47.95 per US dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange today (Sep 15) amid persisting demand from banks and importers for the American currency despite dollar weakness in overseas markets.

The rupee resumed steady at Rs 47.65/66 per dollar, as against its previous close of Rs 47.64/65 per dollar, but declined immediately to Rs 47.95 before quoting at Rs 47.84/85 per dollar at 1030 hours.

The domestic currency hovered in a range between Rs 47.69 and Rs 47.95 per dollar during morning deals.

Banks and importers preferred to purchase dollars due to the uncertainty in the currency market, a forex dealer said.

In the New York market, the dollar lost ground against the euro yesterday following assurances from the euro zone''s biggest economies, France and Germany, that they would help Greece through its sovereign debt troubles and would also ensure that the struggling country remains in the 17-nation grouping that has the euro as a common currency.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex declined by 69 points, or 0.41 per cent, in early trade today.

PTi