MUMBAI: The benchmark Sensex advanced by over 100 points in morning trade today, building on yesterday’s recovery, as investors and domestic institutions widened their bets amid mixed global cues.

The Nifty opened 15 points up at 8,407 while the Sensex opened 54 points up at 27,171.

Short-covering by speculators ahead of January monthly derivatives contract expiry added to the upward move.

Moreover, encouraging earnings numbers from India’s fourth—largest software services exporter, HCL Technologies, too added to the cheer.

The NSE Nifty also recaptured the 8,400—mark.

The BSE 30—share barometer advanced 106.96 points, or 0.39  Pct, to 27,224.30. The gauge had gained 82.84 points in the previous session at about 10 am.

Sectoral indices led by consumer durables, power, banking, PSU, capital goods and metal stocks were in the green, adding up to 1.28  Pct.

The NSE Nifty went past the 8,400-mark by rising 38.90 points, or 0.46  Pct, to 8,430.40. Volatility was a tad down with the India Vix ruling at 15.7750.

Early today, HCL Technologies reported a 7.8  Pct rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 2,070 crore for the third quarter ended December 2016.

Brokers said increased buying in select stocks coupled with covering—up of outstanding short positions ahead of the January month derivatives expiry had a positive impact.

A mixed trend on other Asian bourses too influenced sentiments, they said.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.30  Pct, while Shanghai Composite index edged down 0.09  Pct in early trade today. Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.07  Pct.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended lower by 0.14  Pct in yesterday’s trade.

Read Also:

BHIM Downloads Reach 1.1 Crore; 4 Banks On Board For Aadhaar-Based System

Now Purchase Mutual Funds Via Freecharge