Mumbai: The rupee continued its weakening trend for the fourth straight session by losing another two paise to 63.64 per dollar in a range-bound trade Friday on month-end demand for the American currency from importers despite weaker greenback overseas.
However, foreign capital inflows into equity market restricted the rupee's fall to some extent, a forex dealer said.
The domestic currency opened and closed at the same level of 63.64 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange as compared to yesterday's close at 63.62, showing a loss of two paise.
The rupee has dropped by 12 paise or 0.19 percent in the last four days.
The domestic unit moved in a range of 63.65 and 63.57 per dollar during the day.
The dollar index was trading slightly lower against its major global rivals today.
In New York market, the dollar weakened slightly against most of its rivals yesterday, but remained on track to finish the week with modest gains.
Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex ended lower by 84.13 points to close at 27,811.84 on selling pressure from operators due to fall in global markets as high-level talks between Greek and European officials failed to break a long-standing stalemate over an economic reform plan for Greece.
Pramit Brahmbhatt, Veracity Group CEO, said, "Today also the rupee continued to trade range bound and ended near yesterday's close at 63.64."
Local equities closed on a weak note for the day but the effect was not seen on the rupee movement, he added.
The trading range for the spot USD/INR pair is expected to be within 63.30 to 64.00.
In the forward market, the premium ended mixed due to uneven demand and supply transactions.
The benchmark six-month premium payable in November eased to 191-193 paise from 193-195 paise yesterday on receivings from exporters while maturing in May 2016 rose to 454-456 paise from 420-422 paise on fresh paying pressure from corporates.
The RBI fixed the reference rate for the dollar at 63.6042 and euro at 71.2302.
The rupee fell against the pound sterling to 100.09 from 100.04 previously and also moved down against the euro to 71.25 from 71.23 previously.
The domestic unit dropped further against the Japanese unit to 51.53 per 100 yen from 51.47 previously.
