Mumbai: The SENSEX opened on a firm note and later moved up further at early stages on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on December 13 on buying prompted by the clearance of privatisation of Engineers India Ltd (EIL) coupled with prediction of victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat.

The BSE sensitive Index opened strong at 3,335.28 as the previous close of 3,324.48 and later rallied further to a high of 3,346.48 before being quoted at 3,345.94 at 10.30 am (IST).

The prediction of BJP gaining majority in Gujarat assembly election, by exit polls commissioned by two leading TV networks, and expectations of early decision on HPCL sell-off seemed to have lifted the morale of investors, which looked optimistic about the sentiment during the day.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) also were believed to be buyers at the prevailing attracting price levels.

PTI