The benchmark Sensex gained over 100 points in early trade , continuing its rising streak for the seventh straight session on the back of positive macroeconomic data, ahead of Infosys earnings later in the day.

The 30-share barometer was trading higher by 134.96 points, or 0.39 %, at 34,236.09 with all the sectoral indices, led by metals, banking and realty stocks rising by up to 1 %.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday will auction investment limits for overseas investors for the purchase of corporate bonds worth Rs 82.95 billion.

The auction will be conducted on NSE's e-bid platform from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm after the close of market hours, the exchange said in a circular issued today.

The BSE benchmark Sensex gained for the sixth straight session, reclaiming the crucial 34,000 level briefly in early today, ahead of IIP and inflation data scheduled to be released later in the day.

The government will issue Index of Industrial Production (IIP) numbers for February and inflation data for March based on consumer price index (CPI) today.

Indian stocks continue to be under selling pressure this year even as the benchmark indices have remained largely range-bound. According to data, 374 of the BSE 500 stocks have offered negative returns in 2018 despite the Sensex declining only 0.5 per cent during the year. As many as half of the BSE 500 companies saw their shares tumble over 10 per cent each.

Sensex and Nifty opened in green on Monday taking cues from Asian shares. Benchmark indices extended early gains, with the Sensex rising 124.15 points to 33,751.12 and the Nifty gaining 44.90 points at 10,376.50. Among the top gainers were Kotak Mahindra Bank with 1.22 per cent gains while Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank were the top losers.

The benchmark Nifty on Friday ended the week with 2.15 per cent gains, the most since the week ended July 14, 2017. Signs of easing trade tensions between the US and China, coupled with lowering of inflation forecast by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), had buoyed investor sentiment.

However, global stock markets edged downwards on Friday after US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose an extra $100 billion in tariffs on China exacerbated fears of a more serious trade dispute, while the dollar paused ahead of crucial US payrolls data.

Sensex, Nifty opened lower on Friday amidst the global trade worries due to friction between US and China. Key indices opened on a colourless note then soon turned into red.

The benchmark BSE index traded lower by 34.43 points to 33,562.37, while the Nifty 50 edged down 10.20 points, or 0.10%, to 10,314.95.

Continuing its early upward trend, the benchmark BSE Sensex rallied by 577 points as rate-sensitive stocks surged soon after the Reserve Bank kept its key policy rate unchanged.

The central bank kept the interest rate unchanged, as widely expected, but lowered inflation projection for 2018-19 to 4.7-5.1% in the first half and 4.4% in H2.

Last month, this column pointed out that National Stock Exchange Ltd’s valuation has risen 2.5 times in less than two years. Among other things, investors were enthused about the double-digit growth at the company, despite its high base.

Some of that excitement may dissipate after Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi) latest interventions in the markets.

The BSE Sensex rose nearly 100 points in opening trade today ahead of Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy review that begins today.

The six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel, is scheduled for a two-day meet today and tomorrow.

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