MUMBAI: The benchmark BSE Sensex rose over 228 points in early trade on Wednesday amid a firming global trend and hopes of a growth-oriented Budget.

Further, covering-up of short positions by speculators ahead of Thursday's monthly expiry in the derivatives segment, supported the upside.

GMR Infrastructure today said that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its 26% stake in Delhi Cargo Service Centre.

Delhi Cargo Service Centre, a joint venture between Cargo Service Center India Private Limited and Delhi International Airport (Private) Limited (DIAL), operates cargo operations at DIAL.

Shares of Idea Cellular and Yes Bank have gained up to 1% on the BSE after the National Stock Exchange included these stocks in its benchmark index Nifty. However, these two firms will replace DLF and Jindal Steel & Power in the 50-unit Nifty index which declined up to 1.5% on the BSE.

The BSE benchmark Sensex and the broader Nifty ended the truncated week with modest gains as caution prevailed ahead of the Union Budget due next week.

The week saw every market surge was frequented by volatility over uncertain global peers due to huge debt repayment talks between Greece and Eurozone ministers hogged the limelight.

The benchmark BSE Sensex dropped over 267 points in early trade today as funds and retail investors booked profits after recent gains amid a mixed trend overseas.

The 30-share index, which had gained nearly 1,235 points in previous seven sessions, fell by 267.52 points, or 0.91 per cent, to 29,194.75.

MUMBAI: Continuing its rising streak for the seventh straight session, the BSE Sensex rose 114 points and the NSE Nifty regained the 8,900-level in early trade today as participants indulged in enlarging positions ahead of Budget.

The 30-share barometer spurted by 114.65 points, or 0.39 per cent, to trade at 29,434.91 with consumer durables, realty, auto, oil and gas and banking sector stocks, leading the rise.

Benchmark indices have continued to trade firm led primarily by the gains in financials and select index heavyweight and IT stocks like ITC and TCS.

At 2:12PM, the 30-share Sensex was up 218 points at 29,345 and the 50-share Nifty was up 62 points at 8,871.

Indian markets on Friday rose the most in about three weeks, primarily due to State Bank of India (SBI) recording an improvement in asset quality in the December quarter. Hope of reform-oriented announcements in the Union Budget and the fact that inflation stayed well below the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s target boosted sentiment. A rise in global equities, owing to strong gross domestic product growth posted by Germany, further bolstered investor risk appetite.

Markets firmed up in late trades with the Sensex rising over 200 points led by pharma and capital goods majors.

At 15:10PM, the Sensex was up 236 points at 28,770 and the 50-share Nifty was up 78 points at 8,706.

Markets continued to trade flat in late noon trades on Thursday as losses in index heavyweights ITC and Reliance Industries capped upside gains.

Stock markets today rose for the second straight day with the benchmark Sensex rising 178.35 points to end at 28,533.97 and the Nifty index reclaiming the 8,600-mark powered by a rebound in bluechips amid hopes of faster reforms and optimism over the upcoming Budget.

After surging to 28,618.91 points on value-buying, the Sensex slipped partially to end at 28,533.97, logging a net gain of 178.35 points, or 0.63 per cent. Intra-day, it hit day’s low of 28,424.39. Yesterday, the index snapped a seven-day downtrend by rising 128.23 points.

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