<h1>Rupee gains 5 paise to 88.10 on FII inflows and softer dollar; Brent rise may limit further upside</h1> The rupee strengthened by 5 paise to 88.10 against the US dollar in early trade, propelled by foreign institutional investor inflows and a softer dollar, while gains were muted by a moderate rise in global crude. Market commentary cited a social media post by the US President noting ongoing trade negotiations with the Indian Prime Minister as supportive of equity inflows; FIIs bought roughly Rs 2,050 crore in equities. The dollar index eased and Brent crude rose amid Middle East tensions, factors that may sustain volatility and influence cross-border capital movements and policy monitoring by regulators.