Mumbai Feb 20 (IANS) Indian equities markets surged during the mid-afternoon trade session on Monday as broadly positive Asian indices and a strong rupee buoyed investors sentiments.
However some gains were capped due to caution ahead of derivatives expiry and profit booking.
The key indices traded in the green with healthy buying witnessed in metal healthcare and consumer durables stocks.
The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged up by 31.65 points or 0.36 per cent to 8 853.35 points.
The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE which opened at 28 481.91 points traded at 28 572.18 points (at 1.30 p.m.) -- up 103.43 points or 0.36 per cent from the previous close at 28 468.75 points.
The Sensex has so far touched a high of 28 587.60 points and a low of 28 419.27 points during the intra-day trade.
The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 1 688 advances and 1 007 declines.
According to Dhruv Desai Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls the CNX Nifty traded with firm sentiments due to buying support
Bearish USD/INR futures prices supported the firm sentiments of the Indian equities markets Desai said.
Banking pharma and auto stocks traded with sideways to firm sentiments while oil-gas textile aviation media-entertainment FMCG cement and power stocks traded with firm sentiments due to buying support.
On Friday the benchmark indices rose to new five-month closing highs on the back of fresh buying.
The NSE Nifty edged up by 43.70 points or 0.50 per cent to close at 8 821.70 points and the BSE Sensex was up 167.48 points or 0.59 per cent at 28 468.75 points.
--IANS
ppg/vm
Positive global cues, strong rupee lift equities (Lead)
