Rupee Down 13 Paise to 66.72 Against Dollar

Mumbai: The rupee fell by 13 paise to 66.72 against the dollar in early trade today due to fresh demand for the American currency from importers.

Gains in the dollar against major global currencies, bolstered by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's signal that the US economy looks strong enough for an interest rate hike this month and a lower opening in domestic equity markets, weighed on the rupee, dealers said.

The rupee had dropped 10 paise to end at 66.59 in yesterday's trade on renewed demand for the dollar from banks and importers amid higher greenback overseas.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell by 103.16 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 26,014.69 in early trade today.