The rupee today fell by 25 paise to trade at nearly a five-week low of Rs 44.79 against the US dollar in early trade.

Dealers said the dollar’s strength against the euro and a lower opening in the stock market mainly put pressure on the rupee.

The domestic unit had closed 23 paise lower at a more than two-week low of Rs 44.54/55 against the US currency in the previous session on sluggish local equities and dollar demand from importers.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex tumbled by 466.78 points to 17,226.40 in the opening trade today.

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