Sensex up 87 pts in early trade

The 30-share index moved up by 86.94 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 19,504.40 with realty, healtchare, auto and metal sector stocks leading the rally.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty was up 25.20 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 5,930.80.

Brokers said apart from covering-up of pending short positions by participants as today is the last session of current month's expiry in the derivatives segment, government announcing sops for exporters and hopes of more steps from RBI to ease the liquidity situation influenced the trading sentiments.

Besides, a slightly better trend at Asian bourses also supported the upside in stock prices here, they said.

In Asia, Hong Kong market gained 0.46 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei Index was up by 1.36 per cent.

The US dow Jones Industrial Average, however, ended 0.19 per cent lower in yesterday's trade.