Sensex gains 63 points in opening trade

Mumbai, Feb 11 (PTI) The BSE benchmark Sensex rose byover 63 points in opening trade today on bargain buying byfunds and retail investors, triggered by a firming trend onother Asian bourses.

The Sensex, which has lost nearly 575 points during thepast three sessions, rose by 63.60 points, or 0.36 per cent,to 17,526.64 points today. Auto, FMCG, capital goods and oiland gas sector stocks led the recovery.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange Niftyindex moved up by 22.30 points to 5,248.10 points.

Marketmen said bargain buying at selective counters byfunds and retail investors at attractive levels and gains inother Asian markets helped the domestic equity market to stagea moderate comeback.

However, fears of disappointing industrial output datafor the month of December, to be released later today, keptparticipants cautious.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong''s Hang Seng was up by 0.43per cent in early trade today, while Japan''s Nikkei was closedfor a public holiday.

The US Dow Jones Industrial average ended 0. 09 per centlower in yesterday''s trade.