BSE Sensex gains despite record current account gap

Reuters Market Eye - The 50-share Nifty is up 0.32 percent, while the benchmark Sensex is up 0.23 percent. However, broader sentiment is expected to remain weak as current account deficit for the October-December quarter widened to a record high of 6.7 percent of gross domestic product.

Larsen & Toubro shares gain 2.6 percent after the company said it has received 56.89 billion rupees contract for supercritical power plant in Rajasthan.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd shares gain 2 percent after unit Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals resumes supply of Atorvastatin calcium tablets in the U.S.

Sterlite Industries (India) shares fall 3.5 percent after the company said a copper smelter run by the company in the southern Tamil Nadu state has been closed after a preliminary inspection by state pollution regulator.

 

Auto shares edge lower ahead of March vehicle sale: Mahindra & Mahindra shares fall 0.1 percent while Tata Motors shares fall 1.9 percent.

(Reporting by Manoj Dharra)