Rupee falls 21 paise to 81.38 against U.S. dollar

On Friday, the rupee had appreciated by 19 paise to close at 81.17 against the U.S. dollar.

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The rupee fell 21 paise to close as 81.38 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Monday amid rise in crude prices.

However, strong sentiment at domestic equities market and a weak dollar restricted the fall of the local currency, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened stronger at 80.92 to a dollar against the previous close of 81.17. The local unit moved in a range of 81.47 to 80.93 during the day.

On Friday, the rupee had appreciated by 19 paise to close at 81.17 against the U.S. dollar.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, declined 0.35 per cent to 101.66 amid concerns over U.S. economic growth.

The Brent crude rose 0.26 per cent to $87.86 per barrel.