The rupee rebounded from over two-month low levels, gaining 16 paise to 95.73 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Friday (September 18, 2026), buoyed by a buying trend in domestic equity markets and easing crude oil prices overseas.

Forex analysts said the retreat of crude prices below the 104-per-barrel level from a steep rise earlier this week eased pressure on the Indian currency, even as U.S. bond yields fell from record highs after the U.S. Federal Reserve hiked interest rates by 25 basis point.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.75 and gained slightly to trade at 95.73 against the greenback in early deals, up 16 paise from its previous close.

The local unit ended 2 paise higher at 95.89 against the American currency on Thursday (September 17), after declining 150 paise, or nearly 1.5%, in the preceding eight sessions since the closing level of 94.43 against the greenback recorded on September 4.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.02% lower at 99.97.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.93% lower at $103.85 per barrel in futures trade.

In domestic equities, Sensex rose 122.18 points, or 0.16%, to 74,436.77, while the Nifty gained 23.55 points, or 0.10%, to 23,294.15.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹3,208.76 crore on a net basis on Thursday (September 17), according to exchange data.