Rupee gains 5 paise, at 55.02/dollar

Higher opening in equity mkt buoyed by Chidambaram's promise of bringing economy back on track, supported rupee

The rupee rose by 5 paise to trade at fresh one-month high of 55.02 against the American currency in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on persistent dollar selling by exporters and some banks.

Forex dealers said a higher opening in the equity market buoyed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram's promise of bringing the economy back on track, also supported the rupee.

The rupee had strengthened by 45 paise to close at a one-month high of 55.07 against the dollar in yesterday's trade, tracking a jump in local shares.

The domestic currency has appreciated by 77 paise in the past three days.

 

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark index Sensex rose by 65.02 points, or 0.37%, to 17,666.80.