The rupee advanced further by 19 paise to Rs 45.15 per US dollar in early trade today on persistent selling of the American currency by banks and exporters in view of dollar weakness overseas amid a recovery in the domestic equity market.

The rupee resumed higher at Rs 45.17/18 per dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange, as against last weekend’s close of Rs 45.34/35 per dollar, and subsequently moved up further to Rs 45.15 per dollar before quoting at Rs 45.18/19 per dollar at 10.30 a.m.