The rupee on Tuesday weakened by 5 paise to 46.59 a dollar in early trade as the US currency firmed up against other major world currencies.

Dealers said weakness in other Asian currencies against the dollar mainly kept pressure on the Indian rupee.

However, continued capital inflows by foreign funds into equities, capped the rupee’s losses.

The rupee had gained 10 paise to close at four-week high of 46.54/55 a dollar in the previous session following a sharp surge in stock prices.