Rupee rises 15 paise to close at 82.45 against U.S. dollar

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, slipped 0.26% to $80.47 per barrel

The rupee gained 15 paise to settle at 82.45 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, as a positive trend in domestic equities and easing inflationary pressures strengthened investor sentiment.

Besides, a weak greenback against its major rivals overseas and softening crude oil prices supported the domestic unit, forex traders said.

At the interbank forex market, the local unit opened flat at 82.60 against the greenback and witnessed an intra-day high of 82.40 and a low of 82.71.

It finally ended at 82.45 against the American currency, registering a rise of 15 paise over its previous close of 82.60.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, declined 0.28% to 103.69.

On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex ended 144.61 points or 0.23% higher at 62,677.91, while the broader NSE Nifty advanced 52.30 points or 0.28% to 18,660.30.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, slipped 0.26% to $80.47 per barrel.