Sensex opens above 17K level

Mumbai, May 13: Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex past over 17 K level on positive global cues in the opening trade.

The Benchmark Sensex resumed the session on firm note at 17,008.03, that is 147.13 points up from previous close of 16,860.90 and touched a high of 17,033.83 on fresh buying interest in the early trade. Marketmen observed that fall in crude oil prices from record high and positive global cues lifted the market sentiment. The broader-based S&P CNX Nifty index of National Stock Exchange was 36.75 points up at 5,049.20.

All the sectoral indices were positive and market breadth was strong during the opening session. Index frontliners, Hindalco Industries gained 4 per cent to Rs 182 on 1.50 lakh shares. It was the top gainer from Sensex pack. Jaiprakash Associates was up 3.69 per cent to Rs 255.50, Reliance Infrastructure up 3.30 per cent to Rs 1401.90 and DLF up 2.27 per cent to Rs 636, were in good demand.

However, ITC declined 1.35 per cent to Rs 220.80 on 40,109 shares. It was the top loser from Sensex pack. Followed by Bharti Airtel slipped 0.91 per cent to Rs 830.60. ONGC and Mahindra&Mahindra were marginally down.

As per provisional data, foreign funds sold shares worth a net Rs 210.57 crore yesterday. Domestic funds bought shares worth a net Rs 241.01 crore on that day.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers of Rs 572.46 crore in the futures and options segment yesterday. They were net buyers of index futures to the tune of Rs 184.03 crore and bought index options worth Rs 311.27 crore. They were net buyers of stock futures to the tune of Rs 73.19 crore and bought stock options worth Rs 3.97 crore.

UNI