Sensex Extends Gains, Up 103 Points

The benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex extended gains for the third straight day by jumping 103 points today on continuous buying by investors despite disappointing macroeconomic data.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Friday provided some relief to several sectors by slashing tax rates on a host of consumer items - from chewing gums to detergents - to 18 per cent from the current 28 per cent.

It also trimmed the list of items in the top 28 per cent tax rate category to just 50.

A better trend at other Asian markets brightened mood.

The 30-share barometer, which had gained 95.75 points in the previous two straight sessions, was trading higher by 102.74 points, or 0.30 per cent, at 33,417.30. IT, technology, consumer durables, bank and auto stocks led the gains, rising by up to 0.75 per cent.

On similar lines, the NSE Nifty was up by 11.25 points, or 0.10 per cent, at 10,333 points.

Traders said sentiment remained upbeat despite industrial production grew at a slower pace of 3.8 per cent in September, mainly due to subdued performance of the manufacturing sector coupled with contraction in output of consumer durables.

Factory output measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose 5 per cent in September 2016 and 4.5 per cent in August this year, data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed on Friday.

Major gainers that supported the upmove were M&M, Axis Bank, Hindustan Unilever, TCS, SBI and NTPC, rising by up to 2.10 per cent.

A firm trend at other Asian markets ahead of the release of Chinese economic data later in the week buoyed sentiment.

Globally, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.23 per cent, Shanghai's Composite rose 0.34 per cent and Japan's Nikkei fell 0.68 per cent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.17 per cent lower on Friday. (PTI)

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