Sensex up by 33 points in early trade on sustained buying

Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex rose 33 points in early trade on sustained buying by funds and   retail investors amid a mixed trend in other Asian markets.   The 30-share index was up by 33.00 points, or 0.13 per  cent, to 23,904.23.

The gauge had touched an all-time intra-day high of 24,068.94. Sensex had also gained 1,527.19 points in the previous three sessions after exit polls predicted that BJP-led NDA might form the government at the Centre. The NSE Nifty also moved up by 15.40 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 7,124.15.  Brokers said continued capital inflows on hopes of a stable and business friendly government at the Centre buoyed the trading sentiments.  

However, emergence of profit-booking in banking, auto and   capital goods sector stocks at record levels slowed down the rising pace, they said. Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose by 0.59 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei shed 0.34 per cent in morning trade.   The US Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.12 per cent   in yesterday's trade.