The rupee strengthened to 68.54 on bouts of dollar-selling by banks and exporters ahead of key RBI policy announcement scheduled to be released tomorrow.

The rupee opened weak at 68.69 against yesterday’s closing level of Rs 68.67 at the interbank foreign exchange market today. It hovered in a range of 68.69 and 68.54 before ending at 68.55, up 12 paise at 5 pm local time.

According to a forex dealer, traders were cautious ahead of key central banks’ policy outcome, including that of US Federal Reserve due tomorrow.

Overseas, the US dollar was almost flat against its major peers in early Asian trade, while the yen edged up against the US dollar as investors braced for the highly-anticipated policy decision later in the day from the Bank of Japan.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex 112.18 points or 0.3 per cent to end a new high of 37,606.58.