Sensex up by 169.70 points

Mumbai, May 14 (UNI) The Sensex today surged by 169.70 points on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to settle in the green at 13,965.86 on prospects of political stability in Uttar Pradesh and prediction of an early monsoon.

After opening firmer at 13,954.41, it had crossed the psychological barrier of 14,000 to reach the day's high of 14,026.02 and a low of 13,924.02 during intra-day trade.

Among the broader markets, the Nifty Index also gained 57.65 points on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and closed in positive terrain at 4,134.30 from its previous close of 4,076.65 points.

After opening marginally higher at 4,078.80, it had touched a high of 4,151.30 and a low of 4,072.45 during intra-day.

The Indian meteorological department today forecast that annual monsoon rains would arrive in Kerala on May 24.

The Indian Rupee rose to 40.92 per US dollar today, up 0.7 per cent from last week's close, as investors shrugged off worries about possible central bank intervention to cap currency gains.

Besides, the centre's customs and excise duty receipts for last month were up 19.1 per cent at Rs 13,862 crore, the finance ministry said today. Customs collections were up 27.4 per cent at Rs 7,221 crore, while excise collections grew 11.3 per cent to Rs 6,640 crore in April, this year.

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