Reliance Industries drives Sensex rise

Mumbai, Nov 23 : The Reliance Industries scrip helped a key benchmark index rise over 0.92 percent around Monday noon.

The stock, which has the highest weightage on the sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) -- was up 3.07 percent at Rs.2190.30 against Friday's close at 2,125.15.

The Sensex, which opened the day at 17,067.14 points, was ruling at 17,180.11 points, up 158.26 points or 0.92 percent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,102.1 points, against the previous close at 5,052.45 points, with a gain of 0.98 percent.

Broader market indices were also in the green with the BSE midcap index up 0.47 percent and the BSE smallcap index ruling 1.08 percent higher.

Telecom and consumer durables were under selling pressure, while FMCG and realty stocks found buying interest.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive with 1,571 stocks advancing, compared to 878 on the decline, and 80 scrips unchanged.

Other major Asian markets were dull.

The Hang Seng, a benchmark index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was ruling at 22,578.64 points, 0.55 percent or 122.8 points higher.

The Kospi, benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, was ruling at 1,619.05 points, down 0.1 percent.

In China, the Shanghai composite index was ruling 0.47 percent in the green at 3,324.06 points.