Sensex gains marginally on value buying

The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday recovered nearly 43 points, snapping 3-session losing streak, as investors picked up bluechips available at lower levels after recent declines.

Sensex, which had lost over 645 points in the past three sessions, after the Budget 2012-13 failed to meet market expectations, gained 42.81 points or 0.25 per cent to 17,316.18.

The National Stock Exchange 50-scrip index Nifty recorded a rise of 17.80 points, or 0.34 per cent at 5,274.85.

Of the BSE 30-scrip index, 18 stocks closed with gains, while 12 of the 13 sectoral indices, except auto, gained up to 2.35 per cent.

The realty sector index gained 1.44 per cent at 1,777.50 points as DLF Ltd gained 1.37 per cent, HDIL - 2.51 per cent and Unitech Ltd by 4.14 per cent at Rs 28.90.

The banking index ended 0.85 per cent up at 11,836.77, after SBI rose 1.13 per cent, PNB - 3.28 per cent, Bank of India - 2.22 per cent and HDFC Bank - 2.08 per cent.

The consumer durables index rose 2.35 per cent at 6,631.61 points.