Mumbai: The BSE barometer Sensex rose for the second straight day on November 22 gaining nearly 57 points on selective buying in banking, IT and FMCG stocks after positive signs that the government might push through its economic reforms to boost economic growth.  

The 30-share benchmark index rose by 56.96 points, or 0.31 percent, to settle at 18,517.34 points as an attempt by former UPA ally Trinamool Congress to bring a no-confidence motion against the government over FDI in retail failed in the Lok Sabha.

The Sensex had gained 131 points in the previous session.

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 12.95 points, or 0.23 percent, to 5,627.75.

The government is reaching out to other political parties to secure backing for reforms in the winter parliamentary session that begins on November 22, including plans to boost FDI in insurance and pension sectors.

The upsurge was also supported on firming Asian trend on signs the U.S. jobs market is stabilising and Chinese manufacturing is recovering. European stocks rose ahead of EU summit to solve debt crisis.

Banking stocks, led by State Bank of India, remained on the forefront after the government allowed state-run LIC to increase maximum stake in other companies.

SBI jumped 1.89 percent to 2,099.65, HDFC Bank by 1.03 percent to 669.25, and Axis Bank by 1.86 percent to 1,257.20.

Shares of Hindustan Copper surged by 11.33 percent to 266.30 after the government announced plans to divest four percent equity in the company.

The capital goods sector index gained the most by adding 1.07 percent to 10,624.36, followed by IT index by 0.85 percent to 5,731.71. Banking index rose by 0.52 percent to 13,224.23.

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