Indian rupee weakened against dollar in early deals on Friday on increased demand for the American currency from importers and banks. The rupee fell further on firm dollar against some global currencies overseas after data released by the US Labor Department showed the number of US workers who applied for unemployment benefits declined last week to the lowest level in 43 years. Furthermore, a lower opening of the domestic equity market too weighed on the rupee sentiment. On the global front, the euro steadied on Friday after a volatile overnight session following the European Central Bank meeting as markets were caught between the ECB's steady stance for now and expectations of further stimulus down the road.
The partially convertible currency is currently trading at 66.49, weaker by 10 paise from its previous close of 66.39 on Thursday. The currency touched a high and low of 66.5850 and 66.4650 respectively. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) reference rate for the dollar stood at 66.29 and for Euro stood at 74.89 on April 21, 2016. While the RBI’s reference rate for the Yen stood at 60.48, the reference rate for the Great Britain Pound (GBP) stood at 95.1437. The reference rates are based on 12 noon rates of a few select banks in Mumbai.
| Date | 1US$ | 1GBP |
| April 21, 2016 | 66.2930 | 95.1437 |
| April 20, 2016 | 66.2406 | 95.2076 |
(RBI-Reference Rate)
