Rupee Down 25 Paise To 28-Month Low Against USD

Mumbai, Sep 23 : The Indian rupee tumbled by 34 paise to an almost 28-month low of Rs 49.82 per US dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange today as the American currency firmed up against other major rivals overseas.

Forex dealers attributed the rupee's fall to a level last seen in May, 2009, to strong dollar demand from importers and some banks and dollar gains against other currencies.

They said the continued slide in the equity market also put pressure on the Indian rupee.Yesterday, the rupee had fallen by 124 paise to close at at a two-and-a half-year low of Rs 49.57/58 against the American currency.Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex was down by 204.71 points, or 1.25 per cent, at 16,156.44 in opening trade today. PTI