#Sensex extend gains, up 117 points in early trade

Mumbai, Jul 20 (PTI) The benchmark BSE Sensex advanced over 117 points today on increased buying by investors, tracking mixed Asian cues.

Rising for the second straight session, the 30-share barometer rose further by 117.09 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 27,904.71 with healthcare, oil and gas, power, realty, FMCG, PSU and auto stocks rising up to 0.94 per cent.

The gauge had gained 40.96 points in the previous session.

Also, the NSE Nifty went up by 29.05 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 8.557.60.

Brokers said sustained buying by investors in blue chips stocks and good progress in monsoon influenced trading sentiment.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.82 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei shed 0.72 per cent in early trade today. Shanghai Composite was down 0.17 per cent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.14 per cent higher in yesterday.