Rupee builds on gains, up 18 paise against dollar

The domestic currency is trading at a 7-week high of 67.36

Hardening for the fifth consecutive day, the rupee today appreciated another 18 paise to trade at a 7-week high of 67.36 against the dollar on sustained bouts of selling of the US currency by banks and exporters amid foreign capital inflows.

Dealers said a higher opening of domestic equities supported the rupee, but dollar's strength against some currencies overseas limited the gain.

Yesterday, the rupee had surged 31 paise to end at a nearly seven-week high of 67.54 on persistent selling of dollars by banks and exporters in view of fresh foreign capital inflows.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex advanced 227.59 points, or 0.94%, to trade at 24,470.57 in early deals.