The rupee appreciated by 9 paise to 70.81 against the American currency in early trade on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate.

A positive opening in the equity market, weak dollar against other major currencies overseas and persistent foreign fund inflows supported the rupee, forex dealers said.

However, rising crude oil prices capped the gains for the domestic unit, they added.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened on a firm footing at 70.77 but soon pared some gains to trade at 70.81, up 9 paise over its previous close.

On Wednesday, the rupee had settled at 70.90 against the US dollar.

The US Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate for the third straight time on Wednesday, but it remains divided, with two of the 10 members voted against the move.

The Fed's policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee also made a crucial change in the statement, which indicated that it may not make another move in December.

The FOMC reduced the policy interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 1.5-1.75 per cent.

Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was trading 220.26 points, or 0.55 per cent, higher at 40,272.13, and the broader NSE Nifty advanced 64.80 points, or 0.55 per cent, to 11,908.90.

Foreign institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 7,192.42 crore on Wednesday, exchange data showed.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.36 per cent to 97.29.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.45 per cent higher at USD 60.88 per barrel.

The 10-year government bond yield was at 6.50 per cent in morning trade.