Opening bell: Sensex touches 32,000 mark, Nifty also gains in early trade

The BSE benchmark Sensex reclaimed the 32,000-mark by surging about 156 points in early trade on Tuesday on sustained buying by domestic investors ahead of key macroeconomic data to be released later in the day.

The 30-share Sensex was up 155.78 points, or 0.48 per cent, higher at 32,037.94 with sectoral indices led by metal, realty, consumer durables, FMCG and capital goods stocks trading in the positive zone.

The gauge had gained 220.19 points in the previous three sessions.

Also, the NSE Nifty was trading higher by 50.80 points or 0.50 per cent at 10,056.85.

Shares of Tata Steel Ltd jump as much as 4.6 pct to their highest since February 2011. The company's stock posts biggest intraday percent gain since August 14. IT was also the top gainer on NSE index.

Thyssenkrupp AG could reach an in principle agreement this month to merge its European steel business with that of Tata Steel Ltd, the German group said on Monday, adding talks were constructive and had entered the final stretch.

However, the rupee dropped further by 7 paise to 64.00 against the US currency in early trade at the interbank foreign exchange on Tuesday as the dollar strengthened overseas.

Dealers said increased demand for the US currency from importers and the greenback's gains against other currencies overseas weighed on the rupee.

Currency traders also turned cautious ahead of release of key macro data, including IIP and inflation, later in the day.

Bombay Stock Exchange - BSE

National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE)