Sensex jumps 160 points in early trade as Asia, Europe shine

Extending gains for the third straight session, the benchmark Sensex surged about 160 points to 24,645.70 in early trade amid a firming trend at other Asian markets, tracking overnight gains in the US and Europe.

The 30-share index, which had gained 523.74 points in the previous two sessions, gained another 159.75 points, or 0.75%, at 24,645.70, with sectoral indices led by power, healthcare, realty, auto and IT trading in the positive zone.

The NSE Nifty was also trading higher by 39.90 points, or 0.53%, at 7,476.05. The market was closed yesterday for the Republic Day.

Brokers said buying activity picked up momentum largely in step with a firming trend at other Asian bourses and overnight gains in the US and European markets on the back of a rally in crude oil which kept mood upbeat.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei climbed 2.02% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading higher by 0.47% in early trade. Shanghai's Composite index was up 0.23%.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.78% higher in yesterday's trade.