Sensex rises by 137 points in early trade on capital inflows

Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex gained over 137 points in early trade on April 8, on sustained foreign capital inflows amidst a firming trend at other Asian markets. The 30-share barometer advanced by 137.56 points, or 0.48 per cent, at 28,654.15 with all sectoral indices, led by healthcare, IT, power and auto, trading in positive zone with gains up to 0.88 per cent. On similar lines, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty reclaimed the psychological 8,700-mark by rising 54.65 points, or 0.63 per cent, at 8,714.95.

Brokers said sustained buying by funds and retailers amid a firming trend at other Asian markets boosted market sentiments. Besides, lowering of base rates by SBI, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank influenced trading sentiments, they added. Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up by 1.71 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei gained 0.45 per cent in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, ended 0.03 per cent lower in on April 7, trade.