The rupee fell three paise to close at 88.73 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, weighed down by the strength of the American currency and rising crude oil prices.

Forex traders said a rebound in domestic equities following a sweeping mandate for the ruling alliance in the Bihar polls supported the rupee at lower levels.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 88.70 against the US dollar. During the day, the domestic unit witnessed an intra-day low of 88.75 against the greenback.

The rupee finally settled for the day at 88.73 (provisional), down three paise over its previous close.

On Thursday, the rupee settled eight paise lower at 88.70 against the US dollar.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six c

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