Sensex extends gains, up 61 points in early trade

Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex advanced over 61 points in the early session today on a fresh spell of buying in select blue-chip stocks amid mixed global cues. The 30-share index was trading higher by 60.51 points or 0.21 per cent at 28,432.74 with sectoral indices led by healthcare, FMCG, consumer durables, power, metal and PSU stocks trading in green, rising by up to 0.48 per cent.

The gauge had gained 18.69 points in the previous session. Also, the NSE Nifty rose 22.60 points or 0.25 per cent to 8,749.20. Brokers said increased buying in select blue-chips and a mixed trend at other Asian markets ahead of next week’s Federal policy meeting, influenced sentiments. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.47 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei shed 1.20 per cent in early trade today. Chinese markets are closed for a public holiday. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.18 per cent lower yesterday.

PTI