The rupee appreciated 16 paise to 82.82 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday supported by positive domestic equities, as the interim budget focused on higher capex and faster fiscal consolidation. Forex traders said the interim budget had a positive impact on the domestic currency as it highlighted a reduction in the fiscal deficit to 5.1 per cent of GDP for FY25. Moreover, the weakness of the American currency in the overseas market also boosted sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 82.91 against the dollar and then touched a high of 82.82, registering a gain of 16 paise over its previous close. The rupee appreciated by 6 paise to close at 82.98 against the US dollar on Thursday after the government hinted at faster fiscal consolidation and lower borrowings in interim budget for 2024-25. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday hiked capital expenditure by 11 per cent for the next fiscal to sustain a world-beating economic growth rate