The rupee today depreciated by 12 paise against the $ in early trade due to demand for the US currency from importers.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange market, the domestic unit was quoted 12 paise lower at 46.28 a $. The rupee had closed higher by 8 paise at 46.16/17 a $ in the previous session.
Dealers said demand for the $ from importers weighed on the rupee. Early gains on the equity market, however, capped losses.
The Bombay Stock Exchange index, Sensex, rose by 57.28 points, or 0.30 per cent, to 18,172.11 points in opening trade.
