Sensex rises 66 points in early trade

The 30-share barometer gained 66.32 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 19,321.41 with all the sectoral indices led by consumer durables rising up to one per cent.

The index had closed 13.09 points up in the previous session on Monday.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 14.80 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 5,870.55.

Brokers said increased buying by major players in line with a firming trend overseas and covering-up of short positions by speculators ahead of tomorrow's monthly expiry in the derivatives segment mainly influenced the trading sentiments.

Meanwhile in the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei gained 0.61 per cent in the early trade today, while Hong Kong markets remained closed for a public holiday.

GLOBAL MARKETS ROUNDUP

* Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange rose 0.06 percent, while the MSCI-Asia Pacific index, excluding Japan , advanced 0.08 percent.

* Expectations that Japan's incoming prime minister will pursue drastic stimulus policies to drive the country's economy out of deflation helped weaken the yen and underpinned the Nikkei on Wednesday, while Asian shares were capped in thin holiday trade

* U.S. stocks edged lower on Monday as caution over the potential for volatility driven by worries about the U.S. "fiscal cliff" dampened enthusiasm at the start of a seasonally strong period for equities.

INDIAN FACTORS TO WATCH

* Credit Analysis and Research

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