The rupee strengthened by 5 paise to 66.91 against the dollar in early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today on increased selling of the US currency by exporters and banks amid a firm domestic equity market.

Forex dealers said that besides the dollar’s weakness against some currencies overseas, increased selling of the American currency by exporters as well as banks and a firm domestic equity market supported the rupee.

Yesterday, the rupee had ended 4 paise down at 66.96 against the US dollar on fresh demand for the American currency from banks and importers.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex surged 105.54 points, or 0.37 per cent, at 28,970.25 in early trade.