Rupee down 8 paise versus dollar in early trade

Rupee weakened by 8 paise to 66.41 against the dollar in early trade at the Inter-bank Foreign Exchange market on increased demand for the American currency from importers and banks.

Dealers said a firm dollar against some global currencies overseas and a lower opening of the domestic equity market also weighed on the rupee.

The rupee had recovered by 19 paise against the American unit to close at 66.33 in Friday's trade on fresh selling of dollars by banks and exporters in view of weaker greenback overseas.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell 209.74 points, or 0.82%, to 25,396.88 in early trade.