The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange rose 36 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 19,682 in opening trade, this morning, on fresh buying by funds and retail investors, ahead of industrial output and inflation data. But later, after the release of the inflation numbers, the Sensex gave up all its initial gains, to stand 105 points, or 0.5 per cent in negative territory, at 19,541 in afternoon trade, a short while ago. Stock markets in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan had lost between 0.2 percent and 0.9 percent, today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had ended 0.4 per cent higher yesterday.The rupee today strengthened by 16 paise to 54.25 against the dollar in early trade. This follows fresh selling of the US currency by exporters, amid sustained foreign capital inflows. Besides a higher opening in the domestic equity market also aided the local currency.The rupee had lost 13 paise to close at 54.41 against the dollar yesterday.