May 19, 2006	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1427

MUMBAI, May 18: The Indian rupee ended sharply lower on Thursday, on the back of a fall of nearly 7 per cent in local shares, weak Asian currencies and as stronger-than-expected US inflation data renewed speculation of higher US rates.

Dealers said state-run banks bought rupees, possibly on behalf of the central bank to lift it off its lows, but the currency ended almost 0.6 per cent down on the day at 45.44/46 per dollar, after veering close to its 2006 low of 45.64 set earlier this week.—Reuters