BSE Sensex rose over 156 points; Rupee at at 63.91

Mumbai :The benchmark BSE Sensex rose over 156 points in early trade today as participants indulged in covering their short positions in view of the monthly expiry in the derivatives segment amid positive global cues.

The 30-share barometer, which had gained 104.20 points in the previous session, rose further 156.72 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 27,720.15.

Besides, value-buying in capital goods, healthcare, realty, PSUs, auto and banking stocks positively impacted trading sentiment.

Also, the NSE Nifty regained the 8,400-mark by surging 46.60 points, or 0.55 per cent, to 8,421.65.

Brokers said that apart from the short covering as today being the last trading session of July expiry in the derivatives space, a firming trend at other Asian bourses supported the uptrend.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng firmed up 0.22 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei higher by 1.36 per cent in early trade today.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.69 per cent higher in yesterday’s trade after the Federal Reserve upgraded its outlook on the economy, buoyed sentiment. The rupee fell by 7 paise to 63.98 a dollar in early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today as the American curreny strengthened overseas after the Federal Reserve upgraded its outlook on the US economy.

Besides, month-end demand for the US currency from importers also weighed on the rupee. Early gains in the stock markets, however, capped the rupee fall, dealers said.

The rupee had ended steady at 63.91 against the American currency yesterday on fag-end dollar demand from importers coupled with emergence of weak sentiment on the global front.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex rose by 156.72 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 27,720.15 in early trade today.

PTI