The rupee strengthened by 19 paise to 64.89 against the US dollar today, buoyed by a set of positive economic data.

Industrial production expanded to a 9-month high of 4.3 per cent in August, while retail inflation was stagnant at 3.28 per cent in September compared to the previous month.

A firm domestic equity market and the dollar’s weakness against other currencies overseas kept the rupee on a firm ground, traders said. But continuous outflow of foreign funds kept the upmove in check.

Yesterday, the rupee had appreciated by another 6 paise to end at a fresh one-week high of 65.08 on continued selling of the greenback. Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex was trading higher by 211.04 points or 0.66 per cent at 32,393.26 in early trade.