The rupee closed lower by 31 paise at 53.02/03 against the dollar on fresh month-end dollar demand from importers amidst weakness in local equity market.
The rupee resumed lower at 52.80/81 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange, against Monday's close of 52.71/72. It dropped further to 53.13 per dollar before ending at 53.02/03.
The domestic currency hovered in a range between 52.76 and Rs 53.13 intra-day. Month—end dollar demand from importers, mainly oil companies, affected the rupee value against the dollar, a dealer said.
Meanwhile, crude oil was up in Asian trade today amid thin trade as Middle East geopolitical tension pushed up long-term prices of the commodity, analysts said.
