RUPEE HITS RECORD LOW

The rupee remained in the doldrums for the sixth session in a row today as it breached the 65 mark to an all-time intra-day low of 65.56 before recovering to settle at 64.55 against the dollar, still down 44 paise. Even as local stocks recovered, the rupee's declined on dollar sales by exporters and capital outflows. Steps taken by the Reserve Bank and the government to curb volatility in the exchange rate appeared to have had little effect. The dollar strengthened overseas after minutes showed the U.S. central bank remains on course to start trimming its stimulus before the year end. The dollar index, consisting of six major global currencies, was up 0.32 per cent. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee resumed weaker at 64.85 a dollar from the previous close of 64.11 and crossed the 65 mark to a historic low of 65.56. It recovered some ground and ended at 64.55, still a fall of 44 paise or 0.69 per cent. In six straight sessions, the rupee has tanked by 336 paise or 5.49 per cent.