Wiping out initial losses, the BSE benchmark Sensex rose over 117 points in afternoon trade after the government said the trade deficit in September had narrowed to the lowest level in 30 months.
After a lower start at 19,826.96, the Sensex climbed to trade higher by 117.55 points, or 0.58 per cent to 20,101.16 at 1300 hrs led by stocks of realty, healthcare and capital goods sectors.
Brokers said trading sentiment bolstered on reports of easing trade deficit to 30-month low and a mixed trend in the Asian region.
The exports grew 11.15 per cent in September and imports declined 18.1 per cent amid a sharp fall in inward shipments of gold and silver, taking the trade deficit to the lowest level in 30 months.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty advanced by 34.35 points, or 0.58 per cent, to 5,962.75, after moving lower to 5,877.10 at the outset.
