Mumbai: Cement stocks shined, extending last weekend's gains at opening session on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on July 1 on investment buying by retail investors as well as foreign funds.

The BSE-30 share sensitive index opened slightly better at 3246.44 from previous close of 3244.70 and rallied further to a high of 3267.04 before being quoted at 3256.03 at 10:30 hours (IST).

Dealers attributed a smart rally in cement share prices to the news that foreign cement giants have been looking at acquisition opportunities for making debut in India.

Steel counters also continued their upward march on good buying support from operators as well as retail investors.

Low-priced second-line stocks improved further on speculative buying.

New economy scrips displayed a mixed pattern of trading on alternate bouts of buying and selling.

PTI