Sensex recovers by 51 points

The 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, which has lost 1,133 points in the previous eight straight sessions, rebounded by 51 points, to 18,520.36 with oil and gas, PSUs, banking and capital goods sector stocks staging a partial recovery.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index also moved up by 12.00 points, to 5,549.15 points.

Brokers attributed the recovery in opening trade to emergence of buying by funds and retail investors as several stocks turned attractive at prevailing levels after the recent slide.

Covering-up of short positions by speculators in some stocks also supported the recovery, they said.