Mumbai, Apr 24 (UNI) Rupee today ended at a month's low at 40.17/18 against the dollar with a loss of 12 paise on sustained dollar support by oil firms and banks.

Dealers said ''The Indian rupee fell sharply after an encouraging start and was down three paise against the US dollar in late morning trade''.

''The rupee rose from a three-week low in opening deals on expectations of renewed capital inflows into the stock market.

It opened higher at 40.00/02, later it fluctuated in a wide range and was quoted between 40.00 and 40.19 during the session. It finally ended 12 paise lower at at 40.17/18 per dollar, its lowest since March 27'', forex dealers pointed out.

Reserve Bank of India today fixed the reference rate for US Dollar at Rs 40.04, up by nine paise from yesterday's rate at Rs 39.95 per USD.

The six-month premium was quoted at 2.40/42 (2.50/54) per cent and annualised premium closed at 2.00/02 (2.02/06) per cent.

The local currency ended the session at 63.12/14 (63.70/72) against the Euro. It closed at 79.11/13 (79.25/27) per unit against the Pound Sterling. The local unit closed at 38.70/72 (39.79/81) per hundred units against the Japanese Yen, dealers added.

UNI AR OBB AG1840