Rupee gains against dollar for fifth day, up 26 paise

The rupee strengthened for the fifth straight day, rising 26 paise, to trade at 66.76 against the dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on Monday, on sustained selling of the US currency by exporters and banks amid sustained foreign fund inflows.

Forex dealers said a higher opening in the domestic equity market and a weak dollar against other currencies overseas after last week's below-par US growth data also supported the rupee.

On Friday, the rupee had firmed up by 2 paise to settle at 67.02 a dollar.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex recovered by 180.29 points, or 0.64 per cent, at 28,232.15 in early session on Monday.