Sensex recovers over 77 points in early trade

Fresh buying by funds and retail investors and firming trend in other Asian markets boosted the Sensex on Friday. File photo

The BSE benchmark index Sensex on Friday recovered by over 77 points in early trade on fresh buying by funds and retail investors, supported by a firming trend in other Asian markets.

The 30-share index, which had lost 168.71 points on Thursday, recovered by 77.42 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 17,661.39 points with stocks of the auto, metal, power and banking sector leading the recovery.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 22.20 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 5,362.25.

Brokers said fresh buying by funds and retail investors amid a firming trend in Asian markets following overnight gains on the U.S. markets, bolstered trading sentiment here.

Stocks of auto makers attracted increased buying support largely on the back rise in their sale in February, they said.

Tata Motors was up by 0.69 per cent to Rs. 269.50, Maruti Suzuki by 1 per cent to Rs. 1,327.45, while Hero MotoCorp by 0.99 per cent to Rs. 1,960.

In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose by 1.07 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei index up by 0.68 per cent in the morning trade on Friday.

The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.22 per cent higher in Thursday’s trade.