A benchmark index of the equities markets Friday gained almost 28 points in early trade on fresh buying by funds and retailers ahead of industrial output data, amid a firming trend on other Asian bourses.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), rose by 27.97 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 19,967.01, led consumer durables, auto and realty sector stocks.
The index had lost 51.14 points yesterday on profit-booking. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 6.00 points, or 0.10 per cent, to 6,056.15.
In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei was sharply up by 2.75 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 0.26 per cent in early trade.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.15 per cent lower yesterday.
