The rupee on Friday appreciated by 7 paise to Rs 46.65 a dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market in early trade, on capital inflows by foreign funds.
Dealers said fresh capital inflows into equities by foreign funds and firming Asian currencies against the dollar kept the rupee sentiment firm. The rupee had ended 8 paise higher at Rs 46.72/73 against the dollar in the previous session.
Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange index, Sensex rose by 78.01 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 18,316.32 points in opening trade on Friday.