The Indian rupee moved up further by 8 paise to 44.44 against the American currency in early trade due to persistent selling of dollars by banks on the back of weak dollar in overseas market.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange, the rupee resumed higher at 44.45/46 per dollar as against the last closing level of 44.52/53 per dollar and firmed up further to 44.44 per dollar before quoting at 44.47/48 per dollar at 1030hrs.
It moved in a restricted range between 44.44 per dollar and 44.48 per dollar during the morning trade.
In Tokyo market, the dollar was lower against its major rivals in the early trade, after a fresh reminder that the US has sovereign debt woes of its own.
Late Wednesday, rating agency Moody's Investors Service said it placed the US government's AAA bond rating on review for possible downgrade due to "a small but rising risk" of a short-lived default, as politicians wrangle about raising the US debt ceiling.