The rupee strengthened by 21 paise to 52.14 against the US dollar in the early trade today.
Dealers said recovery of the euro and Asian currencies against the US dollar overseas influenced the rupee sentiment here.
Yesterday, the domestic unit ended at 52.35/36 — its all-time closing low — against the US dollar amid continuing signs of capital outflows and a steep fall in stock markets.
Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell 54.75 points or 0.35 per cent to 15,645.22 in the opening trade today.