Sensex gains 148 pts as new F&O series gets off to a start

Markets today remained on an upward trajectory for the fourth straight session, with the Sensex advancing over 148 points and the Nifty reclaiming 8,100-mark as investors built more bets and foreign inflows continued amid mixed Asian cues.

The 30-share index, which had gained 1,136 points in the previous three sessions, added 148.37 points, or 0.56 per cent, at 26,515.05 in early trade on fresh buying by participants as the June derivatives series got under way.

All sectoral indices led by oil and gas, healthcare and PSU were trading in the green, rising up to 1.91 per cent.

On similar lines, the NSE Nifty topped 8,100 by rising 43 points, or 0.53 per cent, at 8,112.65.

Brokers said creation of fresh long positions in the F&O segment and sustained foreign fund inflows kept up tempo.

Improving prospects of an economic recovery and forecast of a better-than-average monsoon just added it up.

A mixed trend at other Asian markets and an appreciating rupee against the dollar triggered buying on domestic bourses too.

Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.44 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 0.31 per cent in early trade today.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.13 per cent lower in yesterday’s trade.