On Thursday, The BSE benchmark Sensex rose by nearly 163 points in early trade ahead of Union Budget 2013-14 amid a firming global trend. In fact, the 30-share barometer gained by 162.86 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 19,315.27. Moreover, the index had gained 137.27 points in the previous session after pre-Budget Economic Survey projected a promising growth outlook for 2013-14.

In fact, all the sectoral indices led by capital goods and realty, were trading in positive zone with gains up to 1.49 per cent at the same time the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index moved up by 49.55 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 5,846.45.

According to the Brokers, fresh positions built-up by participants on expectations of some sops in the budget for the year 2013-14 to be announced later in the day buoyed the trading sentiment.

(AW:Samrat Biswas)