Sensex extends gains, up 103 pts despite weak IIP data

The benchmark BSE Sensex extended gains for the third straight day by jumping 103 points today on continuous buying by investors despite disappointing macroeconomic data.

The GST Council on Friday provided some relief to several sectors by slashing tax rates on a host of consumer items -- from chewing gums to detergents -- to 18 percent from the current 28 percent.

It also trimmed the list of items in the top 28 percent tax rate category to just 50.

A better trend at other Asian markets brightened mood.

The 30-share barometer, which had gained 95.75 points in the previous two straight sessions, was trading higher by 102.74 points, or 0.30 percent, at 33,417.30. IT, technology, consumer durables, bank and auto stocks led the gains, rising by up to 0.75 percent.

On similar lines, the NSE Nifty was up by 11.25 points, or 0.10 percent, at 10,333 points.

Traders said sentiment remained upbeat despite industrial production grew at a slower pace of 3.8 percent in September, mainly due to subdued performance of the manufacturing sector coupled with contraction in output of consumer durables.

Factory output measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose 5 percent in September 2016 and 4.5 percent in August this year, data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed on Friday. Major gainers that supported the upmove were M&M, Axis Bank, Hindustan Unilever, TCS, SBI and NTPC, rising by up to 2.10 percent.

A firm trend at other Asian markets ahead of the release of Chinese economic data later in the week buoyed sentiment.

Globally, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.23 percent, Shanghai's Composite rose 0.34 percent and Japan's Nikkei fell 0.68 percent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.17 per cent lower on Friday.