Mumbai: The rupee appreciated by 32 paise to 69.70 against the US dollar in opening trade Tuesday, amid easing crude prices and weakening of the greenback vis-a-vis some currencies overseas. The rupee opened strong at 69.83 at the interbank forex market, then gained further ground to touch 69.70 per dollar, displaying gains of 32 paise against the greenback over its previous close.

The local unit, however, pared some gains and was quoted at 69.79 against the American currency at 0943 hrs, displaying gains of 23 paise over its last close.

The rupee had rebounded by 23 paise to close at 70.02 against the US dollar Friday.

Currency market was shut on Monday due to general elections in Mumbai.

Forex dealers said, selling of the American currency by exporters supported the rupee. Besides the decline in Brent crude oil prices from a six-month high of USD 75.60/barrel also supported investor sentiment in the forex market.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, was trading at 71.93 per barrel lower by 0.15 per cent.

Meanwhile, Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the capital markets, pulling out Rs 70.73 crore Friday, as per provisional data.

The benchmark BSE Sensex opened on a cautious note and was trading at 38,927.35, down 139.98 points or 0.36 per cent; while the NSE Nifty was trading 11,701.05, down 53.60 points or 0.46 per cent.