Sensex surges 336 points

MUMBAI - A benchmark index of Indian equities Monday built on its morning gains and was ruling 336 points higher in afternoon trade. Positive cues from Asian markets helped boost sentiments.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,272.49 points, was ruling at 20,368.8 points, up 336.46 points or 1.68 percent from its previous close at 20,032.34 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was trading at 6,122.2 points, up 1.74 percent.

Broader markets were also trading in the green. The BSE midcap index was ruling 1.31 percent higher, while the BSE smallcap index moved up 1.16 percent.

Banking, realty and consumer durables stocks led the gainers pack. All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the green.

Top Sensex gainers at this time were ICICI Bank, Jaiprakash Associates, HDFC Bank and DLF. Among the losers were Maruti Suzuki and Hero Honda.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,843 stocks advancing, 820 declining and 76 remaining unchanged.

Other Asian markets too were also trading higher as stocks rallied on strong manufacturing data from China.

The Shanghai Composite index was ruling at 3,049.19 points, up 2.36 percent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was trading almost two percent higher at 23,555.08 points.

The Japanese Nikkei, however, closed 0.52 percent down at 9,154.72 points.