Sensex regains 26,000 level, climbs 219 points on upbeat global cues

Mumbai: Market benchmark Sensex recaptured the crucial 26,000-mark by climbing over 219 points in early trade on April 21 as investors engaged in widening their bets amid firm global cues. The 30-share barometer advanced by 219.02 points or 0.85 per cent to 26,063.20. The gauge gained 1,170.34 points in the previous five sessions. Also, the NSE Nifty shot up by 53.15 points or 0.67 per cent to 7,967.90.

Prominent gainers were ICICI Bank, SBI, Tata Motors, GAIL, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, ONGC, HDFC Ltd, Adani Ports, BHEL, Coal India, NTPC and RIl, surging by up to 5.40 per cent. However, share of Wipro plunged 6.22 per cent to Rs 563.95 after company said its consolidated net profit dipped 1.6 per cent to Rs 2,235 crore for the quarter ended March 31.

Brokers said investors have been widening bets due to positive macroeconomic data and above-normal monsoon forecast. Moreover, a firm trend in other Asian markets following a strong performance on Wall Street and rebound in oil prices, influenced sentiment here.

In regional markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 1.69 per cent while Japan's Nikkei gained 1.95 per cent in early trade today. Shanghai Composite was trading 0.17 per cent higher. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.24 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.