Rupee down 21 paise against dollar in early trade

Mumbai: The rupee was trading lower by 21 paise at 66.35 against the dollar in early trade on Monday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex) market on increased demand for the US currency from importers and jump in global crude prices as tensions flared up between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, dollar surging against other Asian currencies and a lower opening in domestic equities also weighed on the domestic unit, dealers said.

The rupee had gained 1 paisa against the US dollar to close at 66.14 on Friday following fresh selling of the American currency by banks and exporters amid fresh foreign capital inflows into equity market.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex dipped below the 26,000-mark by plunging 190.25 points or 0.72 percent to 25,970.65 in early deals.