MUMBAI: Extending its rising streak for the third straight day, the rupee appreciated by 8 paise to 61.28 against the dollar in early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange today on sustained selling of the US currency by exporters and banks.

Forex dealers said besides increased selling of the American currency by exporters and banks, the dollar’s weakness against other currencies overseas and a higher opening in the domestic equity market, supported the rupee.