Mumbai: The Indian rupee lost 3 paise to Rs 44.54 per US dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange today, weighed down by dollar gains against other Asian currencies overseas and a weak trend in the stock market.
Forex dealers said strengthening of the dollar against most Asian currencies and a lower opening in the stock market mainly put pressure on the rupee.
The rupee lost 2 paise to close at Rs 44.51/52 against the US dollar in the previous session on Friday due to mild dollar demand.
Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by 37.42 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 18,524.50 in opening trade today.