Sensex maintains early gains, mid-cap outperforms

The BSE Sensex maintained its early

gains amid volatility in late morning trade backed by realty,

basic materials, metals, oils & gas and FMCG sectors amidst

positive leads from Asian markets.

The mid-cap index and the small-cap indices were up 0.72

per cent and 0.80 per cent, respectively. Both these indices

outperformed the Sensex, which gained 0.57 per cent or 181

points in morning trade.

The Sensex resumed higher at 32,029.15 and moved in a

range of 32,065.22 and 31,950.24 before quoting at 32,063.17

at 1120 hours, up by 181 points, or 0.57 per cent.

The NSE 50-share Nifty also trading higher by 49.10

points, or 0.49 per cent, to 10,055.15.

Major gainers were Tata Steel 3.43 pct, Hindunilever

1.60 pct, SBIN 1.46 pct, TataMtrDvr 1.19 pct, AsianPaints 1.05

pct, ITC 0.99 pct, Sunpharma 0.97 pct and Axis Bank 0.97 pct.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a

net Rs 392.52 crore yesterday, as per provisional data

released by the stock exchanges.

Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares

worth a net Rs 877.37 crore, as per provisional data.

Overseas, Asian stocks extended gains, mirroring

strength in the US equities overnight as concerns faded over

the potential damage of Hurricane Irma and North Korea.

-- Rupee down by 4 paise at 63.97 against USD --

The rupee was trading weaker against the US currency at

63.97, down by 4 paise over last close, in late morning trade

following persistent dollar demand from banks and importers on

the back of higher dollar overseas.

The Indian rupee resumed lower by 5 paise at 63.98 per

dollar as against Monday's closing level of 63.93 per dollar

at the interbank foreign exchange.

The domestic currency hovered in a range of 63.9750 and

64.0250 before quoting at 63.97 per dollar at 1120 hrs.

At overseas, the dollar held to large gains following

a sharp rebound against the yen and euro, lifted by improving

investor risk sentiment as worries over North Korea and

Hurricane Irma receded.

(This article has not been edited by Zeebiz editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)