The rupee appreciated by 16 paise to Rs 49.03 per dollar in early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today, as the US currency weakened against euro and other major currencies.
Dealers said the euro’s gain against the dollar on strong economic data and a higher opening in the domestic equity markets mainly supported the rupee.
The domestic unit ended 3 paise higher at 49.19/20 per dollar yesterday.
Meanwhile, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose 72.38 points or 0.40 per cent to 18,150.88 in early trade today.