MUMBAI: A spell of renewed buying brought the Sensex back in the positive zone after early losses today as participants started covering their short bets on the last day of September derivatives contracts.
Realty, metal, healthcare and FMCG counters buzzed during the day. Investors went in for value-buying in recent losers, shrugging off lower Asian cues and a slew of negatives.
The Sensex traded at 31,230.55 at 1145 hours, up 70.74 points, or 0.23 per cent.
The broader Nifty was also higher by 11.25 points, or 0.12 per cent, at 9,747 at 1145 hours.
Dr Reddy's went up 3.58 per cent, ITC 1.28 per cent, Coal India 1.25 per cent and Sun Pharma 1.04 per cent.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold off shares worth Rs 856.28 crore yesterday, showed provisional data from the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 1,858.29 crore.
Most Asian markets declined after US equities rebounded after President Donald Trump unveiled his tax overhaul plan.
Japan's lower house was dissolved today ahead of an expected snap poll on October 22.
Yesterday, Dow Jones Industrial Average ended a four-day losing streak as Trump and congressional Republicans pushed sweeping tax reforms.