The rupee strengthened by 22 paise to Rs 51.39 per dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on Friday, tracking gains registered by the euro and other currencies overseas.
Dealers said dollar losses against the euro and other currencies on reports of easing eurozone debt crisis and a higher opening in domestic equity market supported the rupee sentiment.
The rupee had closed 29 paise higher to touch nearly six-week high of Rs 51.61/62 against the dollar on Thursday on heavy foreign funds inflows.
Meanwhile, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex index rose by 131.48 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 16,168.99 in opening trade on Friday.
