Sensex extends gains, climbs 197 points

The 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange rose by 196.87 points, or 1.07 per cent, to 18,547.61 in opening trade. The Sensex has gained nearly 512 points in the previous three sessions.

Stocks in the IT, realty banking, auto and metal sectors, led the rally.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index also gained 66.30 points, or 1.20 per cent, to 5,588.70.

Brokers said in addition to the firming trend on other Asian boures following overnight gains at the US market on encouraging earnings and better-than-expected jobs data, short-covering by speculators also buoyed the sentiment, helping the Sensex to maintain its upward journey.

Meanwhile, Japan`s Nikkei Index was up by 1.38 per cent and Hong Kong`s Hang Seng Index was up by 0.81 per cent in early trade today.

In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Index ended 0.70 per cent higher yesterday.