Sensex up 218 points in early trade

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Extending gains for the ninth day in a row, the BSE benchmark Sensex rose by over 218 points in early trade on Monday on sustained buying by funds and retail investors ahead of RBI policy amid a firm trend in Asia.

The 30-share barometer, which has gained over 1,153 points in the previous eight sessions, shot up further by 218.37 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 18.682.64 with capital goods, banking and realty sectors leading the gain.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 58.65 points, or 1.05 per cent, to 5,636.30.

Brokers said sustained buying by funds and retailers amid a firming trend in Asian region mainly influenced the trading sentiment.

The Reserve Bank of India is scheduled to announce its mid-quarter review of monetary policy later on Monday.

In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.62 per cent in early trade on Monday, while Japan's Nikkei was closed for a public holiday.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had ended 0.40 per cent higher in previous session on Friday's trade.