Sensex extends gains, up 129 points in early trade

The 30-share barometer, which had gained almost 82 points in the previous two sessions, rose further by 128.84 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 17,313.85.

All the sectoral indices led by capital goods and metals, were trading in positive territory with gains up to 1.26 per cent.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 37.10 points, or 0.71 per cent, to 5,253.40.

Trading sentiment remained firm on continued buying by funds and retail investors amid a firming trend in Asian regions following overnight gains on Wall Street on upbeat earnings reports from technology and other firms.

Besides, expectations that the government will accelerate economic reforms after the Presidential poll also triggered buying by participants, brokers said.

Bucking the trend, stock of auto major Maruti Suzuki tumbled 4.80 per cent to Rs 1,165.55 on major sell-off following a clash between workers and the managerial staff at company's Manesar plant yesterday.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 1.05 per cent, while the Japan's Nikkei by 0.78 per cent in early trade today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.81 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.