The BSE benchmark Sensex shot up by over 293 points at 1130 hrs on Wednesday, as stocks led by software exporters and realty sectors made strong rally on expectations of strong second quarter earnings by corporates amid firming trend in other Asian markets.

The Sensex, which had commenced the day at about 88 points higher than the Tuesday’s close, jumped by 293.30 points or 1.45 per cent in the morning trade on Wednesday to 20,496.64.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained 86.35 points or 1.42 per cent to trade above 6,100 points level at 6,177.25 at the same time.

Analysts said firming trends on Asian bourses coupled with expectations of strong second quarter earnings by corporates buoyed the trading sentiment, triggering buying in technology, realty and oil and gas sector stocks.