Sensex hits 29,000, Nifty at 52-week high ahead of Feb F&O expiry

S&P BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices mirrored the gains in frontline indices to rise 0.3% each

The benchmark indices on Thursday extended gains even as Asian markets slipped from their 19-month highs after minutes of US Federal Reserve's last monetary policy suggested many policymakers believe interest rates should be increased "fairly soon". 

At 01:33 pm, the S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 29,008, up 143 points, while the broader Nifty50 was ruling at 8,971, up 44 points. 

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices mirrored the gains in frontline indices and rose 0.4% each.

"8,905-8,874 would provide a decent support to Nifty; whereas on the flipside, 8,969 remains to be an