Sensex extends rally, rises 173 points on positive macro data

The benchmark BSE Sensex gained 173 points to 34,473.43 in early trade rising for the second straight session on back of positive macroeconomic data and sustained buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) amid appreciating rupee.

Besides, a mixed trend in other Asian markets following positive lead from Wall Street buoyed sentiment here.

The 30-share barometer rose 172.96 points, or 0.50 %, to 34,473.43 in opening session. All sectoral indices were trading in the green, with realty, metal, capital goods and oil & gas rising up to 1.65 %.

The NSE index Nifty climbed 41.50 points, or 0.39 %, to 10,581.25.

Brokers said buying picked up on positive economic data.

Industrial output grew by 7.1 % in December and retail inflation eased in January to 5.07 %.

DIIs bought shares worth Rs 1,342.70 crore on net basis, while foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 814.11 crore on net basis on Monday, provisional data showed.

Major gainers were Bharti Airtel, HDFC, Adani Ports, Wipro, RIL, Dr Reddy’s, L&T, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Tata Steel, M&M, Yes Bank and Coal India, gaining up to 1.92 %.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.73 % and Singapore edged up 0.05 %, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.64 % and China’s Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.32 %.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, closed 0.16 % higher in yesterday’s trade.

Bombay Stock Exchange - BSE

National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE)