Rupee opens flat at 44.41/42 per USD, rises to 44.35/36

Mumbai, Mar 21 (UNI) The rupee today opened flat at 44.41/42 per US dollar as compared to the last close of 44.40/41, said a foreign exchange (forex) dealer here.

The rupee strengthened by five paise to 44.35/36 per US dollar in the early trading and traded at 44.38/39 around 1200 hrs, the dealer added.

The crude oil prices in the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) softened further and traded at USD 60.20 per barrel, which was a big boost for the rupee.

The stock market's benchmark index BSE Sensex today crossed the 11,000 mark with a gain of 60.39 points, touching a high of 11,001.50 points in the mid-morning trade which could boost the rupee further.

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