The rupee fell marginally by 3 paise to Rs 44.20 against the US dollar in the early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today, weighed down by a weak trend in the stock market, but steady FII inflows restricted the losses.

The domestic unit had strengthened by 25 paise to close at a five-and-half month high of Rs 44.17/18 per dollar in the previous session, buoyed by healthy capital inflows and sustained sale of dollar by exporters and corporates.

Forex dealers said the lower opening in the stock market mainly put pressure on the rupee sentiment.

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