Sensex jumps 123 pts in early trade ahead of Fed decision

Extending gains for the third straight session, the benchmark BSE Sensex surged over 123 points at 25,443.48 in early trade today amid a firming trend at other Asian markets ahead of the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting.

The 30-share index, which had gained 276.09 points in the previous two sessions, gathered another 123.04 points, or 0.48 per cent, at 25,443.48 with all the sectoral indices, led by oil & gas, IT, healthcare and power trading in positive zone.

The NSE Nifty was also trading higher by 28.75 points, or 0.37 per cent, at 7,729.65.
Brokers said pick-up in buying by participants, in step with a firming trend at other Asian bourses and overnight gains in the US and European markets ahead of the outcome of a Federal Reserve meeting which is likely to see a long-awaited interest rate rise, influenced sentiments.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei gained 2.13 per cent while Shanghai's Composite index was up 0.63 per cent in early trade. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was trading 2.18 per cent higher.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.90 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.