Sensex zooms 232 points in early trade on positive global cues

Mumbai: Market benchmark Sensex surged over 232 points to 24,950.31 in early trade today on widespread gains as investors widened their bets amid a firming trend in other Asian markets.However, caution prevailed in view of muted factory output data, which was released on Friday and inflation data, slated for later in the day.

The 30-share index, which gained 94.65 points on Friday, added 232.32 points or 0.94 per cent to 24,950.31 with banking, realty and auto sector indices leading the rally.On similar lines, the NSE Nifty climbed 68.95 points, or 0.92 per cent, at 7,579.15.

Brokers said a flurry of buying by investors in blue-chips supported by sustained foreign fund inflows and a firming trend at other Asian markets, tracking weekend gains at the US markets, mainly influenced the sentiment.

Meanwhile, industrial production declined for a third month in a row, contracting by 1.5 per cent in January due to poor performance of manufacturing sector and lower offtake of capital goods.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading higher by 1.35 per cent, while Nikkei surged by 2.08 per cent in early trade. Shanghai's Composite index was quoting 2.79 per cent higher.The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.28 per cent higher on Friday.