The rupee appreciated 9 paise to close at 71.20 against the US dollar on Friday, a day after the RBI kept key policy rate unchanged.

At the forex market, the local unit opened at 71.30 and shuttled between a high of 71.19 and a low of 71.43. It finally finished at 71.20, up by 9 paise. The domestic unit had settled at 71.29 against the US dollar on Thursday