Mumbai, Jul 3 (PTI) The rupee appreciated 17 paise to close at 95.18 against the US dollar on Friday as the dollar index retreated from its recent 15-month high levels and mirrored positive domestic equities.

Forex traders said despite a weaker dollar index and lower crude oil prices, the rupee is facing pressure from robust dollar demand from importers and corporate hedgers.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.20 against the American currency and traded in a range of 95.16-95.35 during the session.

The rupee finally closed at 95.18, registering a rise of 17 paise from its previous close.

On Thursday, the rupee pared initial gains and settled on a negative note, lower by 19 paise at 95.35 against the US dollar.

Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said the rupee opened higher on an overnight decline in the US dollar following less hawkish comments from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and a fall in crude oil prices. "Traders may take cues from weekly employment claims and the non-farm payrolls report from the US. USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of Rs 95.00 to Rs 95.60.

According to experts, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is actively purchasing dollars to rebuild its foreign exchange reserves, which have dropped to roughly USD 672.6 billion from a February peak of USD 728.49 billion.

The RBI data released on Friday showed the country's forex reserves dropped by USD 5.654 billion to USD 666.933 billion during the week ended June 26. In the previous reporting week, the kitty jumped USD 963 million to USD 672.587 billion.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 100.75, lower than its recent 15-month high of 101.6.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.22 per cent at USD 71.96 per barrel in futures trade.

On the domestic equity market front, Sensex climbed 261.79 points to settle at 77,763.91, while the Nifty was up 95.15 points to 24,270.85.

Foreign institutional investors turned net buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 1,355.33 crore on a net basis on Friday, according to exchange data. PTI DRR HVA

Rupee gains amid weaker dollar index and reserve rebuilding, even as importer demand keeps pressure on the currency. The rupee appreciated against the US dollar as the dollar index retreated from recent highs and domestic equities remained positive, though the currency continued to face pressure from strong dollar demand by importers and corporate hedgers. Foreign exchange reserves were reported to have declined, with the Reserve Bank of India stated to be actively purchasing dollars to rebuild reserves.