Sensex up 76 points; metal stocks gain

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was Thursday trading up 76.07 points or 0.30 percent as metal, oil and gas and consumer durables stocks gained.

However, heavy selling pressure was observed in technology, entertainment and media (TECK), capital goods and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 25,597.21 points, was trading at 25,549.96 points around 12.45 p.m. trade session, up 76.07 points or 0.30 percent from previous day's close at 25,473.89 point.

The Sensex touched a high of 25,611.32 points and a low of 25,409.69 points during the trade so far.

The index touched a new high of 25,735.87 points in Wednesday's intra-day.

The S&P BSE metal index moved up by 84.37 points, healthcare index gained 82.40 points, oil and gas index was higher by 48.58 points and consumer durables index rose by 48.30 points.

However, TECK index lost 12.31 points, capital goods index was lower by 5.28 points, FMCG index was down 2.60 points and IT index slipped marginally by 0.44 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading-- up 13.40 points or 0.18 percent at 7,640.25 points.