Sensex up marginally ahead of RBI policy

The 30-share barometer, which had gained 10.48 points in the previous session, moved up by 13.53 points, or 0.07 per cent, in range-bound trading to 18,649.35 with interest- sensitive banking and realty stocks rising.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained 3.60 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 5,669.20.

Brokers said some buying by funds in interest-sensitive banking and realty stocks on hopes of a rate cut by the Reserve bank in its policy review later today, influenced the trading sentiments.

They said a slightly better trend in the Asian region also had a positive impact.

Meanwhile, in Asia, Japan's Nikkei was up by 0.41 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.18 per cent.

The US markets remained closed yesterday because of Hurricane Sandy.

GLOBAL MARKETS ROUNDUP

Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange rose 0.03 percent. The MSCI-Asia Pacific index excluding Japan is up 0.3 percent.

All U.S. stock markets were closed on Monday and may remain closed on Tuesday, the operator of the New York Stock Exchange said, depending on the damage from the huge and dangerous storm on financial center New York City overnight and on Tuesday.

Asian shares were subdued on Tuesday after a powerful hurricane curtailed activity in U.S. markets overnight, while the dollar held gains against the yen ahead

... contd.