Sensex surges in morning trade; up at 17,759.97pts

Mumbai : Extending gains for the third straight session, the BSE benchmark Sensex surged by nearly 172 points in early trade today on sustained buying by funds and retail investors.

The 30-share baraometer, which had gained over 442 points in the previous two sessions, rose by 172.30 points, or 0.97 per cent, at 17,759.97. All sectoral indices, led by metals and realty, were trading in the positive zone with gains of up to 1.46 per cent.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index moved up by 53.20 points, or 0.97 per cent, to 5,412.75.