Extending its gain against the American currency, the rupee firmed up further by 8 paise to close at 66.44 on persistent selling of dollars by banks and exporters in view of persistent foreign capital inflows amidst weakness in greenback overseas.

Firm equity market also boosted the rupee value against the dollar to some extent, a forex dealer said.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 512.22 crore yesterday, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges.

The rupee resumed steady at 66.52 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, but dropped to 66.5950 on month-end dollar demand from importers.

However, it recovered afterwards to 66.40 on selling of dollars by banks and exporters before ending at 66.44, showing a gain of 8 paise or 0.12 per cent.

The domestic currency has gained by 18 paise or 0.27 per cent in two days.

Meanwhile, the dollar index was down 0.09 per cent against a basket of six currencies in the late afternoon trade.

The RBI fixed the reference rate for the $ at 66.5460 and € at 75.1770.

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