The rupee snapped its two-day rise against the US dollar and ended lower by 13 paise at 66.81 on fresh bouts of dollar demand from banks and importers.
Heavy capital outflows along with a smart rebound in dollar value in the midst of impending Fed rate hike largely kept rupee under pressure throughout the day.
The dollar recouped recent loses helped by bullish comments from one of the most influential officials on the Federal Reserve.
However, the overall mood remained fairly calm as investors looked ahead to the European Central Bank's interest rate decision later in the day alongside eurozone's monetary guidance.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the rupee resumed virtually steady at 66.68 per dollar largely helped by a relatively strong opening of the domestic equity market.
But weighed down firm greenback overseas, the home unit immediately started to weaken and kept descending. It touched a fresh intra-day low of 66.8350 in mid-afternoon deals before ending at 66.81, showing a loss of 13 paise or 0.19 per cent.
It had appreciated by a good 20 paise in two trading days.
In worldwide trade, the American dollar traded with solid strength against all major emerging currencies after the third and final US presidential debate between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.
The euro was trading near a three-month low against the dollar before an European Central Bank meeting.
The dollar index, which measures its broader strength against a basket of currencies, was up at 97.91.
The RBI today fixed the reference rate for the dollar at 66.7145 and euro at 73.2125.
In cross-currency trades, the rupee recovered mildly against the pound sterling to settle at 81.94 from 81.96 and also regained against the Japanese yen to end at 64.44 as compared to 64.50 per 100 yens on Wednesday.
On the other hand, it fell back against the euro and finished at 73.38 from 73.19 earlier.
Meanwhile, the market benchmark Sensex surged by another
192.83 points, or 0.68 per cent, to close at 28,661.58 today.
In forward market today, premium for dollar firmed up on fresh paying pressure from corporates.
The benchmark six-month premium payable in July gained to 145-147 paise from its previous level of 144-146 and far forward January 2018 contract also rose to 298-300 paise from last Friday's closing level of 296-298.
The RBI fixed the reference rate for the dollar at 66.9771 and for the euro at 71.0560.
In cross-currency trades, the rupee ended lower against the pound sterling at 83.46/48 from 83.15/17 but euro turned higher against the euro to settle at 71.10/12 from 71.33/35.
The domestic currency rose against the Japanese yen to 59.17/19 per 100 yen from 59.34/36 previously.
Note: Forex and money markets will remain closed tomorrow, February 21, in view of Municipal Elections for Greater Mumbai.
