The rupee appreciated by 2 paise to 44.43 a dollar in early trade today on capital inflows by foreign funds and a weak US currency overseas.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the rupee appreciated by 2 paise to trade at 44.43 a dollar.
The rupee had closed higher by 9 paise at 44.45/46 a dollar in the previous session.
Dealers said besides fresh capital inflows by foreign funds following upsurge in equity markets, dollar's weakness against major currencies also supported the Indian rupee.
Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange index Sensex rose by 154.53 points, or 0.82 per cent, to 17,868.93 points in the opening trade today.