MUMBAI: The Indian Rupee on Friday appreciated by 8 paise against the US Dollar.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened stronger at 81.51 to a dollar. The local unit moved in the range of 81.50 to 81.67 during the day. It finally settled at 81.53, a rise of 8 paise against the previous close of 81.61.

On Wednesday, the rupee had slipped 2 paise against the US dollar. The currency markets were closed on Thursday on account of Republic Day.

Meanwhile, the US dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.02 percent to 101.82 after positive macroeconomic data released by the US government on Thursday. Brent crude was trading 1.19 per cent higher at USD 88.51 per barrel.

Gold price fell Rs 70 to Rs 56,842 per 10 grams. On the contrary, Silver jumped Rs 451 to Rs 68,874 per kilogram.