Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex firmed up further by 117 points in late morning trade on sustained buying in consumer durables, healthcare, IT, and energy stocks.
The Sensex opened higher at 25,815.43 and hovered in a range of 25,954.81 points to 25,803.19 points in morning trade. At 1145 hrs, the 30-share barometer was higher by 117 points, or 0.46 per cent, at 25,924.80 points with 24 of the index constituents trading in the green.
The 50-share Nifty also managed to touch 7,950 level with gains of 42.95 points, or 0.54 per cent, at 7,951.20 points. The NSE 50-share Nifty was also up by 35.70 points, or 0.45 per cent, at 7,943.95 at 1145 hrs.
Major gainers were, Cipla by 1.90 per cent, Lupin 1.86 pct, TCS 1.43 pct, Adaniports 1.31 pct, Sunpharma 1.12 pct and Wipro 0.91 per cent. However, Bharti Airtel fell by 1.03 per cent, HDFC 0.67 per cent and HeroMotoCo 0.65 per cent.
Meanwhile, foreign funds sold shares worth Rs 1,095.04 crs yesterday, as per the provisional data. Overseas, Asian stocks were trading mixed, in thin trade and with little to guide them as most major markets were closed yesterday for Christmas holidays.
