Re up 3 paise against $ in early trade

The rupee appreciated by 3 paise to rise to a nearly 19-month high of 44.92 a $ in early trade today on capital inflows by foreign funds and the US currency's weakness against major currencies.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the rupee strengthened by 3 paise to trade at 44.92 a $, the highest level since September 2008.

The rupee had closed higher by 28 paise at 44.95/96 a $ in the previous session.

Dealers said besides continued capital inflows by foreign funds into equities, dollar's weakness against major currencies also supported the Indian rupee.