The benchmark BSE Sensex remained range-bound in a choppy trade on Monday, but rose for the third session by edging up nearly 17 points as investors built bets ahead of release of September quarter GDP data later in the day and RBI’s fifth bi-monthly policy review tomorrow.
However, cautioned prevailed on sustained outflows by foreign funds and a weak trend in global markets as investors are waiting for key US jobs numbers and a European Central Bank meeting later this week.
The 30-share index, which had gained 352.46 points in the previous two sessions, rose 17.47 points, or 0.07 per cent, at 26,145.67.
The broader NSE Nifty, however, succumbed to late-selling in blue-chips and ended in the red by falling 7.45 points, or 0.09 per cent, to close at 7,935.25.
On a monthly basis, while the Sensex dropped by 511.16 points, or 1.91 per cent, this month -- the most since August -- on sustained outflows by foreign funds, Nifty retreated 130.55 points, or 1.61 per cent.
Trading sentiment was upbeat on hopes that India’s growth may pick up in the September quarter as GDP data are due to be out later in the day, brokers said.