Sensex extends gains on robust GDP data

The BSE Sensex advanced about 106 points in early session maintaining its positive form for the second day following robust growth data for the March quarter. Investors creating new positions at the beginning of the June futures and options (F&O) series also lifted the key indices.

The 30-share index, which had rallied 416.27 points in the previous session, was trading higher by 105.57 points, or 0.30 %, at 35,427.95.

Sectoral indices, led by metal, auto, teck, IT, consumer durables and capital goods, were trading in the positive zone with gains of up to 1.13 %.

The NSE Nifty also went up by 25.40 points, or 0.24 %, to 10,761.55.

Official data released after market hours on Thursday showed that India’s January-March 2018 GDP growth soared to a seven-quarter high of 7.7 %, spurred by robust performance of manufacturing, construction and service sectors, helping it retain the tag of the fastest growing major economy.

The rupee appreciating against the dollar also fuelled the uptrend, brokers said.

Auto stocks were in demand on expectations of encouraging sales data for the May month, to be released today.

Big gainers included ICICI Bank, Bajaj Auto, Maruti Suzuki, Sun Pharma, L&T, Tata Motors, Hero MotoCorp, Wipro, HDFC Ltd, TCS, Infosys, HUL and RIL, climbing up to 3.64 %.

However, other Asian markets were mixed on fresh trade war fears after the Trump administration’s tariffs on imports from key allies.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.26 % and Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.24 % in their early deals while Shanghai Composite index fell 0.33 %.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.02 % lower in yesterday’s trade.

Bombay Stock Exchange - BSE

National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE)