Rupee gains 11 paise as exporters sell American currency

Mumbai: The rupee appreciated by 11 paise to 66.20 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday on increased selling of the American currency by exporters.

Besides, weakness in dollar against other currencies overseas ahead of the US retail data supported the domestic unit, forex dealers said.

They, however, said a lower opening of the domestic equity markets, disappointing Index of industrial production (IIP) numbers and rising retail inflation, capped the rupee’s gain.

The rupee had gained 13 paise to close at 66.31 against the US dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on Tuesday.

Forex market remained closed on Wednesday and Thursday on account of “Diwali Balipratipada’.

The benchmark BSE Sensex dropped by 228.41 points or 0.88% to 25,638.54 in early trade.