Sensex surges 124 points in early trade

The benchmark BSE Sensex on Friday rose nearly 124 points to trade above 21,000 level in early trade, extending an upward streak for the fifth session in a row ahead of GDP data for October—December quarter amid a mixed Asian trend. The 30-share index, which had gained over 450 points in the previous four sessions, rose by 123.82 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 21,110.81, with all the sectoral indices, led by healthcare and metal, were trading in positive territory with gains up to one per cent. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 26.75 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 6,265.55. Buying activity by funds as well as retail investors picked up ahead of GDP data for the October-December quarter to be released later in the day, brokers said. Besides, a mixed trend in the Asian region, following overnight gains on Wall Street after Federal Reserve’s broadly positive outlook for the US economy, influenced the sentiment here. In the Asian region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up by 0.50 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei Index shed 0.02 per cent in the morning trade today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.46 per cent higher in yesterday’s trade. -

Source :   http://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/sensex-surges-124-points-in-early-trade/article5735550.ece