By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian markets rose Friday amid positive cues from other Asian bourses and Greece coming closer to a pact to avoid a debt default.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 17,325.82 points and was ruling at 17,447 around 12 p.m., 301.48 points or 1.76 percent compared to its previous close at 17,145.52 points.
The Sensex had risen to an intra-day high of 17,508.45 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was similarly ruling higher at 5,319.55 points, up 1.9 percent or 99.1 points.
Broader markets too were in the green. The BSE midcap index was trading 1.6 percent higher, while the BSE smallcap index was up 1.39 percent. Metals and capital goods stocks. All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the green.
The market breadth was positive with 1,729 stocks advancing, 725 on the decline and 91 remaining unchanged.
Asian markets too were trading higher as investors were enthused after Greece came closer to a deal with private creditors to restructure its debt and avoid a massive default.
Also, news of China’s inflation falling sharply in February boosted sentiments as this would give Beijing more room to stimulate the world’s second largest economy.
The Japanese Nikkei closed 1.65 percent higher at 9,929.06 points, while Hong Kong’s index was trading 0.69 percent up at 21,045.69 points.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 0.28 percent up at 2,427.08 points.