New Delhi, March 21 -- Rising for the sixth straight session, the rupee appreciated 36 paise to close at 86 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday on a sharp rise in the domestic equity markets and fresh foreign capital inflows.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 86.26, then touched an intraday high of 85.93 and a low of 86.30 against the greenback. The unit ended the session at 86 (provisional) against the dollar, registering a gain of 36 paise from its previous closing level.

On Thursday, the rupee stayed almost flat and appreciated just 1 paisa to close at 86.36 against the US dollar. This is the sixth straight session of gain for the rupee, during which it has added 123 paise.

The Indian rupee posted its ...