Rupee up 20 paise at 46.11/$

The Indian rupee today strengthened by 20 paise to 46.11 against the US currency in early trade, extending gains for the second straight day on expectations of more capital inflows and dollar selling by exporters.

Dollar's losses against other Asian currencies too helped the Indian rupee.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local unit appreciated by 20 paise to 46.11 a dollar. The rupee had ended 34 paise higher at 46.31/32 in the previous session on Friday.

Forex dealers said expectations of increased capital inflows into domestic equities by foreign funds which may open higher in tandem with other Asian markets and dollar's weakness against other currencies, mainly supported the Indian rupee.

Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex had gained 152.80 points in the last session.