Sensex opens up by 75 points on firm global cues

Mumbai, Jan 19 (PTI) The BSE benchmark Sensex gained 75points in opening trade today on continued buying in selectheavy-weight stocks, driven by firming trend on the otherAsian bourses.

The 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, whichhad gained about 230 points in the previous two sessions,rose by 75.01 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 19,167.06 points.

Likewise, the broad-based National Stock Exchange indexNifty also moved up by 23.60 points, or 0.41 per cent, to5,747.65 points.

Brokers said buying by funds and retail investors in linewith firming trend in Asian markets following overnight gainson the US market on positive earnings expectation, helped theSensex post early gains.

They said concerns over inflation and fears of hikein interest rates, capped the gains.

Oil and gas, metal, consumer durables and banking stockswere trading in the positive territory.

Meanwhile, Japan''s Nikkei Index rose by 0.19 per centwhile Hong Kong''s Hang Seng Index was up 0.56 per cent in themorning trade. In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Index ended0.43 per cent up yesterday.