MUMBAI: The Indian rupee, which nearly hit a three-year high in yesterday's trade, lost 5 paise to Rs 44.13 perUS dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange today, weighed down by dollar gains against other currencies overseas and a weak trend in the stock market.

Dealers said strengthening of the dollar against the euro and some other currencies on euro zone debt worries and a lower opening in the stock market mainly put pressure on the rupee.

Therupee rose by 10 paise to close at Rs 44.08/09 yesterday, nearly touching a three-year high at Rs 43.85 against the US dollar during intra-day trade on selling of dollars by banks and exporters.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by 176.56 points, or 0.95 per cent, to 18,255.69 in opening trade today.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com