The Indian rupee on Monday retreated from a seven-week high, dropping 35 paise to close at 61.79 against the US dollar, after stocks weakened on concerns about the continuing
US government shutdown.
In the previous three sessions, the rupee had gained 116 paise or 1.85 per cent.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market, the rupee opened lower at 61.50, compared with Friday's close of 61.44 and declined to a low of 61.96 on weakness in stocks. The local currency recovered some ground in line with local equities and closed at 61.79, a fall of 35 paise or 0.57 per cent.
Fresh dollar demand from importers also dragged the rupee lower, ending the three-sessions gaining streak for the currency.
"The rupee was seen erasing its earlier sharp gains against the US dollar and showed slight weakness. The fall was attributed to the negative stock markets and a slight recovery in the US dollar index," said Abhishek Goenka, CEO of India Forex Advisors.
The 30-share
BSE Sensex, which fell as much as 268 points, recovered to close 20.85 points lower. There was concern among investors about the US shutdown, after lawmakers in Washington remained deadlocked over extending the nation's
debt limit to avoid default before the October 17 deadline.
Foreign institutional investors bought a net Rs 541.36 crore of shares on Friday.
Special 
