Rupee off to a positive start, gains 9 paise against dollar

Hitting a high note for the second straight day, the rupee strengthened by 9 paise to 66.96 against the US dollar at the inter-bank forex market today following sustained selling of the American currency by banks and exporters.

That apart, dealers said, the rupee derived its strength from strong foreign capital inflows and a higher opening in domestic equities.

Dollar's weakness against other currencies in the global market made the local unit stronger, they added.

The rupee had recovered 13 paise to close at a one-month high of 67.05 yesterday.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex rose 50.93 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 27,866.11 in early trade.