Rupee slides 14 paise against dollar to fresh 29-mth low

Mumbai: Extending losses for the third session, the rupee weakened another 14 paise to a fresh 29-month low of 68.19 against the dollar in early trade today following month-end demand from importers and banks amid a strengthening American currency overseas.

Forex dealers said increased demand for the dollar and a lower opening in the domestic equity market kept pressure on the rupee. The rupee had shed 22 paise to close at a new 29-month low of 68.05 yesterday on sustained demand for the greenback from banks and importers amid a lower value overseas. Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell 91.87 points, or 0.37 per cent, at 24,400.52 in early trade.