Bengaluru: The BSE Sensex extended gains to 3 per cent on Tuesday, tracking firmer global markets and as a strong growth outlook for Asia's third-largest economy boosted sentiments.
The Sensex, at 2.55pm, was up 556.42 points at 18,379.82 and the Nifty up 177 points at 5,510.25. Auto makers led the gains after top car makers Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors posted a rise of 15.5 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, in February sales.
The government's move to not raise excise duty on cars in the budget on Monday also lifted the sector.