MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex extended gains for the fourth day today rising by 81 points on buying by funds influenced by a better-than- estimated economic growth for 2009-10 fiscal.

The Sensex, which had gained 841 points in the last three trading sessions, advanced further by 81.57 points to 16,944.63 points.  Among 30 index stocks, 19 closed with gains. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 19.75 points to 5,086.30, after moving between 5,097.60 and 5,038.55.
The economy grew by a better-than-estimated 7.4 per cent in 2009-10 on the back of double digit expansion in manufacturing sector, according to the official data released today. A mixed trend in the Asian region also influenced the trading sentiment to some extent, brokers said. Key indices in South Korea, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan finished higher by up to 2.10 per cent.
PSU, auto, healthcare and oil &gas stocks were the major gainers of the day pushing up the sectoral indices by 1.66 per cent to 2.70 per cent. Mahindra and Mahindra, a vehicle and tractor maker, spurted by 5.03 per cent to Rs 572.45 after saying it’s interested in bidding for South Korea’s Ssangyong Motor. Market leader Reliance Industries gained 1.08 per cent to Rs 1,045.05.
The benchmark Nifty continued its upmove and closed with marginal gains after seeing extreme volatility throughout the session. Oil & Gas, auto, select capital goods, banking and metal companies’ shares helped the index.
Key benchmark indices surged to day’s high in late trade, extending three-day gains, as robust GDP data and Global cues were supportive with Asian and European markets trading higher. Small and mid-cap stocks attracted buying fancy, evident from the strong market breadth.
The market rose in early trade ahead of the key GDP data. It hit the day’s high in mid-morning trade after government data showed robust economic performance for Q4 and year ended March 2010. Market moved between the positive and negative terrain in afternoon trade after slipping into the red to hit day’s low. Buying demand at lower levels helped market cut losses in mid-afternoon trade. Late buying frenzy propelled the market to day’s high in late trade, brokers said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said today that the monsoon has hit the southern coast. Good monsoon rains would help raise farm output, boost rural incomes and lower food inflation.  The S&P CNX Nifty opened firm at 5,076.10 and then it recorded the day’s high at 5097.60 and a low at 5038.55 pts. The market breadth was positive as about 1785 shares advanced while 1292 shares declined on the BSE. Nearly 221 shares remained unchanged.
The markets reported total turnover of Rs 78,559.39 crore. This included Rs 12,298.76 crore from the NSE cash segment, Rs 62,506.35 crore from the NSE F&O and the balance Rs 3,754.28 crore from the BSE cash segment. The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 3753 crore as compared with Rs 2636 crore on previous day.