Sensex extends gains, up 41 points in early trade

Continuing its winning streak for the fourth session, the benchmark BSE Sensex today rose over 41 points in early trade on sustained buying by funds and retail investors ahead of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment.
The 30-share barometer, which had gained nearly 316 points in the past three sessions, moved up by another 41.18 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 20,893.65 with power, banking, consumer durables, healthcare and capital goods sectors leading the rise.
Also, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained 5.95 points, or 0.10 per cent, to 6,206.00.
Brokers said sustained foreign funds inflow and covering up of pending short positions by speculators as today being the last session of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment influenced the trading sentiment.

They said, however, absence of positive cues from other Asian bourses limited the gains on the domestic bourses.
In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei Index fell 0.13 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was trading 0.18 per cent higher in early trade.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.17 per cent down in yesterday's trade.