Rupee up 23 paise against dollar in early trade

Besides, strengthening of euro and other currencies against the dollar overseas after the European Union's euro zone confidence index jumped for the third straight month as debt concerns slowly ebbed, also supported the rupee, forex dealers said.

The BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 22.72 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 19,982.28 in early trade today.

The rupee had shot up by 47 paise to close at nearly three-month high of 53.30 yesterday against the dollar.