The BSE benchmark Sensex today rose over 69 points in early trade on sustained buying by funds and retail investors, mainly in consumer durables, oil and gas, healthcare and metal sector stocks.
Rising for the third straight session, the BSE's 30-share barometer rose by 69.40 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 20,100.17. In the previous two sessions, Sensex had gone up by 356.44 points.
Also, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty edged higher by 8.20, or 0.13 per cent, to 6,091.35.
Brokers said the sentiment remained firm on sustained buying by participants on the back of favourable corporate reports, including better earnings amid a firming trend on the other Asian bourses.
Besides, covering-up of short positions by speculators ahead of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment on Thursday also supported the upside, they said.
Stocks of Sun Pharma remained in good demand and rose further by 0.63 per cent to Rs 1,021.20 ahead of the quarter earnings. Shares of Coal India up 3.29 per cent at Rs 323.80 apiece in early trade.
In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei gained 0.80 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 0.16 per cent in early trade today. The US markets remained closed yesterday for a public holiday.
