Mumbai: The SENSEX started on a strong footing and rallied past 3200-mark at early stages in line with continuous rally in heavy weighted counters on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on fresh buying support.

The BSE Sensitive Index opened firm at 3,190.67 as against November 25 close of 3,175.56 and later surged up to a high of 3,200.13 before being quoted at 3,193.44.

HPCL, HLL, RIL, SBI and Telco were quoted remarkably up during initial trading period on fairly heavy buying support by bull operators that have been consistent buyers for the past few sessions.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and domestic mutual funds also were believed to be making purchases in frontline as well as low-priced second rung counters.

PTI