Sensex rises 158 points in choppy trade

After witnessing choppy trade during the day, the Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex on Friday posted a gain of nearly 158 points as buying picked up at lower levels. The 30-share Sensex closed higher by 157.76 points at 14,401.49, after losing over 100 points in early trade.

The barometer had lost over 400 points yesterday. The NSE Nifty also rose by 63.60 points to 4,327.45.

Marketmen said trading was highly volatile after inflation rose again and crude oil prices firmed up. Short-covering ahead of the expiring of August contract in the derivative section was also a boosting factor.

They said the session ended in positive zone following a surge in heavyweight stocks like Reliance Industries which rose 1.51 per cent.