MUMBAI (Reuters) - The rupee hit 60.23 in trade on Monday, its lowest level since May 6, after government data showed wholesale price inflation surged to a five-month high.
At 12:46 p.m., the rupee was at 60.1850/1950 versus its close of 59.76/77 on Friday.
India's wholesale prices-based inflation in May accelerated to a five-month high of 6.01 percent, driven up by higher food and fuel costs, government data showed on Monday.
The rupee was already trading weaker since it opened as surging crude oil prices threatened to push up domestic inflation pressures and aggravate the country's current account deficit.
Traders expect the rupee to trade in the 59.90/60.25 band during the session.
(Reporting by Neha Dasgupta; Editing by Kim Coghill)