Rupee firms up 13 paise in early trade

Rupee strengthened by 13 paise to 66.31 against the US dollar in early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on selling of the American currency by exporters amid foreign fund inflows.

Weakness in dollar against some other currencies overseas and a higher opening in the domestic equity market supported the rupee, forex traders said.

The rupee had lost 11 paise to close at 66.44 against the dollar on Monday on fresh demand for the American unit from banks and importers despite weaker US currency in the overseas market.

The benchmark BSE Sensex recovered by 166.41 points, or 0.65%, to 25,603.38 in early trade.