Sensex surges 460 pts in opening trade

Mumbai, Aug 6: Extending the previous gains, Sensex surged over 460 points on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) at 15,422.82, even as broader-based Nifty jumped 113 points on sustained buying interest in the opening trade.

The BSE benchmark index opened far above 15K level at 15,263.65 from its previous close of 14,961.67 and further extended the gains on positive global cues. Nifty of National Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed the day almost on flat note at 4,506.25. The market surged as the US Federal Reserve held key interest rates steady as expected, and signalled less likely chances of rate hikes in the near term. A further slump in crude oil prices also boosted the sentiment, brokers said.

Banking, realty and auto stocks led the morning rally. Maruti Suzuki India galloped 8.89 per cent to Rs 669 on 68,493 shares. It was the top gainer from the Sensex pack. Tata Motors was up 5.37 pc to Rs 431, Bajaj Auto up 4.22 pc to Rs 391.05 and Mahindra&Mahindra up 3.83 pc to Rs 569.

Banking shares vaulted on fresh buying. HDFC Bank up 8.52 pc to Rs 1285.30, ICICI Bank up 7.28 pc to Rs 743.80 and State Bank of India Bank up 2.48 pc to Rs 1617.90.

Reliance Industries advanced 2.56 pc at Rs 2234.20 on 1.79 lakh shares, Bharat Heavy Electricals up 4.16 pc to Rs 1844, HDFC up 4.45 pc to Rs 2575 and Reliance Infrastructure was up 3.44 pc to Rs 1079.35.

UNI