Sensex gains over 200 pts; Reliance surges 5%

The 30-share BSE Sensex gained more than 200 points led by buying interest across all the sectors. Asian markets too remained strong due to better than expected US payrolls data. Hang Seng, Nikkei and Kospi jumped 2% each while Straits Times and Taiwan Weighted gained 1% each.

The Sensex rallied 233.66 points or 1.36% to 17,431.59 and the NSE benchmark rose 70.60 points or 1.35% to 5,286.30.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries shot up 5% amid huge volumes. 

State-owned oil & gas producer ONGC declined due to rally in crude oil on Friday. Brent crude rose 2.9% to USD 108.94 a barrel.

Country's largest private sector lenders ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank moved up 1.6% each while their rival State Bank of India was up 1%.

Among the auto stocks, top commercial vehicle maker Tata Motors gained 3%; M&M, Bajaj Auto, Hero Motocorp and Maruti were up 0.7-1%.

Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro and state-owned power equipment manufacturer went up over 1.6%.

Metals stocks like Tata Steel, Sterlite Industries, Jindal Steel and Hindalco Industries jumped 1.5-3%.

The BSE Midcap Index was up 1.2% and Smallcap was up 1.5%. About three shares advanced for every share declining on the BSE.