The rupee depreciated 6 paise to 77.50 against the US dollar in the opening trade on Wednesday as a surging American currency in the overseas markets and persistent foreign fund outflows weighed on investor sentiment. Besides, rising global crude prices impacted the domestic unit, forex traders said. However, a higher opening in the domestic equity market restricted the rupee`s fall, they added.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened weak at 77.57 against the American dollar, then gained some lost ground to quote at 77.50, registering a fall of 6 paise over the last close. It was moving in a tight range of 77.57 to 77.48 in early deals. In the previous session, the rupee had settled at 77.44 against the American currency. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback`s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.11 per cent higher at 103.47.