Sensex jumps over 150 points on funds inflow, global cues; Nifty above 10,600-mark

Mumbai: Domestic equities opened on a firm note Friday as the benchmark BSE Sensex surged over 150 points on the back of continued foreign fund inflow and appreciating rupee. Positive leads from the US markets on optimism that the US and China may resolve their trade dispute, and a mixed trend at other Asian bourses too influenced sentiments here. The 30-share index spurted 159.17 points, or 0.45 percent, to 35,419.71 points with sectoral indices, led by healthcare, auto, FMCG, capital goods and banking, rising up to 1.03 percent. The barometer had gained 118.55 points on Thursday. [caption id=“attachment_4341273” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Reuters[/caption] The NSE Nifty was trading 41 points, or 0.39 percent, higher at 10,657.70. Prominent gainers include Sun Pharma, Axis Bank, Asian Paint, RIL, M&M, Hero MotoCorp, TCS, HDFC Bank, Maruti Suzuki, PowerGrid, ICICI Bank, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, NTPC and Bharti Airtel, gaining up to 1.37 percent. On the other hand, continuing its fall, Yes Bank was the biggest loser, dropping up to 6 percent. ONGC, Infosys, Tata Steel, Vedanta and Adani Ports too fell up to 3 percent. Meanwhile, the rupee was trading higher by 10 paise at 71.87 against the American currency in early deals on Friday. There was continued buying by foreign funds for the second straight day on Thursday. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) accumulated shares worth a net of Rs 2,043.06 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares worth Rs 165.31 crore Thursday, provisional data showed. Elsewhere in Asia, Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.71 percent, Korea’s Kospi up 0.20 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.52 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average in the US ended 0.83 percent higher Thursday.