Sensex rises 173 points in early trade

MUMBAI - A benchmark index of Indian equities Thursday soared in morning trade.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,605.63 points, was ruling at 20,636.72 points, up 173.1 points or 0.85 percent from its previous close at 20,465.74 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was trading at 6,208.6 points - up 0.78 percent.

Broader markets indices were trading in the green too, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.55 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index moved up 0.4 percent.