March 11, 2006	Saturday	Safar 10, 1427

MUMBAI, March 10: The Indian rupee ended slightly lower on Friday as selling by state-run banks, possibly on behalf of the central bank, got the upper hand over foreign investment inflows, dealers said.

The rupee ended at 44.4950/ 5050 per dollar, weaker than Thursday’s close of 44.48/49. It has shed about 0.4 per cent since last Friday.

It fell to 44.56 moments after the open, not far off Thursday’s two-week low around 44.5850, but dealers said foreign inflows at the start of share trading had given it a lift.—Reuters