Sensex opens in positive zone, rises 76 points

The benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex opened higher by over 76 points today, extending yesterday's gains on increased buying by funds, even as other Asian markets remained weak.The 30-share index, which had gained 109.86 points in the previous session, rose by 76.01 points, or 0.45 per cent, to 16,916.81 in the opening trade with metal, auto, oil and gas, and FMCG sector stocks maintaining their upward trend.Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index also moved up by 22.00 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 5,078.60.Market analysts said bargain buying of select stocks by funds along with the retail investors, mainly helped the markets to open higher. However, a weak trend on the other Asian bourses, forced participants to remain cautious.In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei index was trading 0.42 per cent lower, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell by 0.12 per cent in ealry trade today.