The rupee strengthened by 17 paise to 63.87 against the US dollar in early trade due to dollar selling by exporters and banks and a firm domestic equity market.

Dollar’s weakness against some currencies overseas also supported the uptrend.

The rupee had gained 8 paise to close at a two-week high of 64.04 against the US currency on Thursday due to dollar selling and a firm equity market.

Forex market was closed on Friday for ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’.

Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex rose 179 points or 0.56 per cent to 31,775.06 in early trade.