MUMBAI: The Indian rupee opened a tad weaker on Thursday as an underlying demand for dollars by oil companies Offset positive local shares and a firmer euro.
At 09:30 a.m., the partially convertible rupee was at 48.99/49.01 per dollar, weaker than Wednesday's close of 48.95/96.
Indian shares rose 0.5 percent early on Thursday, led by banks on hopes the government would take steps to boost slowing economic growth.
The euro dipped on Thursday, taking a breather after rallying to a one-month high the previous day, with market players saying the single currency may eke out more gains ahead of a European Union summit next week.
The euro was trading at $1.3787, compared with $1.3768 when the rupee closed on Wednesday.
The index of the dollar against six major currencies was at 77.004 points, from 77.017 points at close of local trade on Wednesday.