The BSE Sensex gained 80 points on Tuesday, up for the fourth session in a row to reach 3-week high of 18,492.45, on continuing FII inflows amid a positive trend in the global markets.

Besides, brokers said, short-coverings ahead of the settlement of this month’s derivative contracts on Thursday pushed up the market.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) – key players behind the on-going rally, have bought shares nearly worth Rs 2,953 crore in three sessions since 23rd June, analysts said.

The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer touched a high of 18,527.45 soon after opening trade, but dropped to a low of 18,323.44.

Later, it moved in a narrow range to settle at 18,492.45, up 80.04 points or 0.43 per cent.

It had gained 862 points in the last three sessions.

The NSE 50-issue Nifty also improved by 18.70 points or 0.34 per cent settle at 3-week high of 5,545.30.

HDFC, Hindalco, L&T, BHEL, Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank and SBI supported the rally.

Asian and European stocks ended mixed, with upward bias.

The CAC was up 0.61 per cent and the FTSE by 0.46 per cent, while the DAX slipped 0.07 per cent. The US markets were up by 1 per cent at overnight close.

In all, 21 Sensex scrips ended with gains, while others finished with losses.

The market breadth at BSE remained positive with 1,464 stocks gaining ground, as against 1,378 finishing with losses.