Rupee down 3 paise against dollar

The rupee today eased by 3 paise to 52.71 against the US dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange market,due to sustained demand for the American currency from banks and importers.

Traders said increased demand for the dollar from banks and importers mainly weighed on the rupee sentiment.

The rupee had ended lower by 18 paise at 52.68/69 against the US currency yesterday due to sustained dollar demand from banks.

Meanwhile,the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 32.56 points,or 0.18 per cent,to 17,174.73 in early trade.