<h1>Rupee slides 21 paise to 88.43 as Fed signals December cut uncertainty; markets sensitive to policy and shutdown</h1> The rupee weakened 21 paise to 88.43 versus the dollar in early trade after the Federal Reserve chair signaled a December rate cut is not certain, supporting the dollar and lifting the dollar index and 10-year Treasury yield; the central-bank communication and ongoing US government shutdown, along with mixed economic indicators, were cited by market participants as drivers. Domestic equities fell and foreign institutional investors recorded net equity sales. The report indicates market sensitivity to monetary-policy guidance and geopolitical developments, which may affect regulatory reporting, risk disclosures and cross-border capital flows.