<p>Sensex closed a hefty 218.74 points, or 1.23 per cent, higher at 17,933.14 points, a day after falling from its two-year high level. NSE’s 50-share Nifty also settled with a net rise of 1.08 per cent at 5,361.75 points.<br /><br />On a weekly basis, the Sensex extended gains for the ninth week in succession on the back of sustained buying momentum since early February.<br /><br />The barometer had lost over 250 points on Friday on fears of high food prices leading RBI signalling a hike in interest rates amid a steep fall in bourses across the world.<br />The sentiment turned bullish on Friday, marketmen said, as the sharp decline in the previous day bas brought the valuations lower and presented a fantastic opportunity to investors to buy them back. Expectations of a healthy fourth quarter earnings by companies helped sustain the momentum throughout the day, they added. The earning season starts with Infosys announcing its numbers on April 13.<br /></p>
<p>Sensex closed a hefty 218.74 points, or 1.23 per cent, higher at 17,933.14 points, a day after falling from its two-year high level. NSE’s 50-share Nifty also settled with a net rise of 1.08 per cent at 5,361.75 points.<br /><br />On a weekly basis, the Sensex extended gains for the ninth week in succession on the back of sustained buying momentum since early February.<br /><br />The barometer had lost over 250 points on Friday on fears of high food prices leading RBI signalling a hike in interest rates amid a steep fall in bourses across the world.<br />The sentiment turned bullish on Friday, marketmen said, as the sharp decline in the previous day bas brought the valuations lower and presented a fantastic opportunity to investors to buy them back. Expectations of a healthy fourth quarter earnings by companies helped sustain the momentum throughout the day, they added. The earning season starts with Infosys announcing its numbers on April 13.<br /></p>