Rupee trades flat at 83.53 against US dollar in early trade

On Friday morning, the rupee remained flat at 83.53/USD amid strong crude prices and stock gains. Range: 83.50-83.54. Brent crude at 85.60 USD/barrel. Sensex up 226.11 pts to 80,123.45; Nifty up 82.1 pts to 24,398.05. US dollar index 104.49; softer inflation data raised Fed rate cut hopes. FIIs offloaded Rs 1,137.01 crore on Thursday.