The rupee depreciated by 12 paise to 44.55 a dollar in early trade today on capital outflows from equities by foreign funds and the US currency's gain overseas.
The rupee closed higher by 5 paise at 44.43/44 a dollar in the previous session.
Forex dealers said capital outflows by foreign funds from equities and dollar's gains against other currencies, mainly weighed on the rupee sentiment.
Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange index, Sensex, fell by 89.68 points, or 0.50 per cent to 17,549.58 points in the opening trade today.
