The rupee depreciated 5 paise to 83.01 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, tracking a strong American currency and elevated crude oil prices in the international market. Forex traders said a negative trend in domestic equities and foreign fund inflows weighed on investor sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 82.96 against the dollar and touched an early low of 83.01 and a high of 82.95 in initial trade. On Thursday, the rupee settled on a flat note at 82.96 against the US dollar, after the Reserve Bank decided to keep the key policy rate unchanged for the sixth time in a row to maintain a tight vigil on inflation. "The RBI kept rates on hold in its MPC meeting held on Thursday and also did not give any indication of when it will be able to cut rates prompting a fall in equity markets. It said that it cannot give any forward guidance leaving everyone guessing on the timing of the rate cycle," Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executiv