Auto firms gain; Hero MotoCorp up 3.5 pct

Reuters Market Eye - Shares of automobile companies gain sharply. Traders say sentiment is high as strong sales expected in the festive season.

Hero MotoCorp said it expected 40-50 percent higher sales in Dhanteras, considered an auspicious day for buying and making investments. Hero shares up 3.44 percent to hit an all-time high.

Maruti Suzuki (India) Ltd adds 1.9 percent and Mahindra and Mahindra is up 0.9 percent.

(Reporting by Indulal PM)