Sensex gains for third day, up 130 pts

The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday rose by 130 points to hit a fresh one-week high, extending gains for the third straight day on increased capital inflows into bluechips.

The 30-share index, which had gained 356 points in the last two trading sessions, advanced further by 130.05 points, or 0.65 per cent to 20,160.82. This is Sensex's highest closing since May 20.

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained a crucial 6,100 level by rising 28.10 points, or 0.46 per cent, to 6,111.25.

Also, the MCX-SX flagship index SX40 closed higher by 51.64 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 11,947.27.

Brokers said the market remained in bullish mode on foreign funds buying, following steady inflow of positive reports from blue chip companies.

A firming Asian trend and higher opening in Europe as investors awaited reports that may show US consumer confidence and house prices increased, further boosted the trading sentiment.

CIL rose by 3.01 per cent to Rs 322.95 after posting higher fourth-quarter profit and coal price hike, while index- heavy Reliance Industries advanced by 1.80 per cent to Rs 843.115, adding to Monday's 5.3 per cent gain after it announced a "significant" gas discovery.

Among other stocks, shares of gold loan firms Muthoot Finance and Manappuram Finance were down after the Reserve Bank imposed restrictions for providing loans against gold coins as well as units of gold ETFs.