<h1>Rupee strengthens 7 paise to 85.55 against dollar amid weak US employment data and falling crude prices</h1> The rupee strengthened 7 paise to close at 85.55 against the US dollar, recovering from initial losses. The local currency gained support from a weakening dollar following disappointing US employment data and declining US treasury yields. Falling crude oil prices also favored the rupee, though muted domestic equity performance limited gains. The dollar index rose slightly to 96.82, while Brent crude fell 1.01% to $68.41 per barrel. Analysts expect the rupee to trade between 84.90-85.60, with upcoming US employment data providing direction. Foreign investors sold equities worth Rs 1,481.19 crore, while domestic indices declined marginally.