Rupee plunges to 6-week low of 64.16 vs US dollar

MUMBAI: Extending losses for the fourth trading session, the rupee today fell by another 12 paise to close at a new 6-week low of 64.16 per dollar on persistent demand for the US currency from banks and importers amid a massive plunge in equities.

The rupee resumed lower at 64.07 per dollar as against last Friday's closing level of 64.04 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market and dropped further to 64.25 before finishing at 6-week low of 64.16, showing a loss of 12 paise or 0.19 per cent.

It has lost 61 paise, or 0.96 per cent, in the last four trading days.

The domestic currency had last ended at 64.26 per dollar on June 16, 2015.

It moved in a range of 63.99 per dollar and 64.25 per dollar during the day.

The dollar index was trading lower by 0.57 per cent against its major global rivals today.

The dollar today fell against the yen and the euro in Asia trade, ahead of closely-watched events later this week including the Federal Open Market Committee meeting and US gross domestic product data.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices today fell further in Asia, hurt by a slump in the manufacturing sector in China, the world's top energy consuming nation. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for September delivery fell 16 cents to USD 47.98 and Brent crude for September tumbled nine cents to USD 54.53 in late-morning trade.

The Indian benchmark Sensex fell sharply by 550.93 points or 1.96 per cent today.