Overcoming initial weakness, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex gained 107 points today as

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funds bought bluechips and auto stocks on good monthly sales amid firm trend in the European markets.

The Sensex, which had gained 330 points yesterday, gained another 107.03 points, or 0.62 per cent to close at 17,300.58, after touching the day's low of 17,061.55.

The NSE 50-scrip index Nifty rose 36.45 points, or 0.70 per cent to 5,235.70. It had dipped to 5,159 earlier.

The gains were led by the Sensex heavyweight Reliance Industries, which moved up 1.82 per cent as it kicked off its buyback programme.

Besides, markets were up on buying in select auto majors following rise in monthly sales figures.

Market sentiment got a boost on higher openings in European stocks as well.

The metals sector gained the most - up 2.97 per cent at 11,839.91, followed by capital goods index that gained 2.34 per cent to reach 10,095.89.

The auto sector index rose 2.02 per cent to 9,428.70 as Hero MotoCorp surged 3.45 pc, Maruti Suzuki - 2.21 pc, Tata Motors - 2.03 pc and Ashok Leyland - 4.20 pc.

Jindal Steel, L&T, Sterlite, Tata Steel, Tata Power, SBI, BHEL, Hindalco and HUL were other major gainers.

Markets @ 09.00 AM (PTI)

The BSE benchmark index Sensex fell by 55 points in early trade today as investors booked profits after recent gains.

The 30-share barometer, which rallied by 330.25 points in the

previous session, moved down by 54.62, or 0.32 per cent, to 17,138.93 points in early trade today.

In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange

index Nifty declined by 21.35 points, or 0.41 per cent, to 5,177.90 points.

Brokers said investors booked profits after recent gains amid

a mixed trend on the other Asian bourses.

In the Asian region, the Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed 0.04

per cent, while Japan's Nikkei was quoted 0.16 per cent higher in

early trade.