Amid easing crude prices, against the dollar in early trade, rupee strengthened by 8 paise to 73.24 on Monday. Early gains in domestic equities gave some support to the rupee, said forex dealers.

The rupee opened lower at 73.36, at the Interbank Foreign Exchange, and dipped further to 73.38. However, soon, it recovered the lost ground and rose to 73.24.

Amid a weakening greenback, the rupee, on Friday, had settled 29 paise higher at 73.32 against the US dollar.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, was trading 0.44 per cent down at USD 79.65 per barrel, globally.

The benchmark BSE Sensex, in opening trade, on Monday, rose 321.41 points to 34,637.04.