Sensex trims earlier gains; still up by 12 pts

Sensex resumed higher, extending previous session's rally on sustained buying by funds and retailers largely on expectations of further economic reforms by the government.

It resumed at 18,784.64 and moved up further to 18,822.15 but declined afterwards to 18,759.19 before quoting at 18,774.63 at 1030 hrs, showing a gain of 11.89 points, or 0.06 per cent from the weekend's close.

However, the NSE-50 share Nifty moved down by 2.85 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 5,700.45 at 1030 hrs.

Major gainers were Maurti Suzuki (1.71 per cent), Infosys (1.68 per cent), Tata Motors (1.57 per cent), SBI (0.94 per cent), Gail India (0.78 per cent), TCS (0.74 per cent) and BHEL (0.73 per cent).

However, Tata Steel dropped by 1.19 per cent followed by Tata Power 0.89 per cent, Icici bank 0.82 per cent, Hindalco 0.71 per cent and Bajaj Auto 0.68 per cent.

Profit-booking in some counters by speculators and absence of cues from the Asian region as most of the markets are closed for a public holiday, capped the gains.