In the broader markets, the midcap and the smallcap indices continued to underperform with 1 per cent and 0.7 per cent gain respectively as compared to the 2 per cent gain on the Sensex.Asian markets soared after the European Central Bank outlined its bond buying scheme in an attempt to draw a line under the region's debt crisis.
Stronger-than-expected jobs data from U.S. private sector, which bode well for the key U.S. non-farm payroll figures due out on Friday, also encouraged investors to cover their bearish bets. Nikkei added 2.2 per cent, Shanghai Composite soared 3.7 per cent and Hang Seng jumped 3.7 per cent, respectively.
In the European markets, CAC and DAX gained 1 per cent each while FTSE marginally advanced by 0.2 per cent.
The rupee continued to rule firm against the American currency in late morning session by gaining 26 paise to 55.40 against dollar on sustained selling of dollars by banks and exporters.
All the sectoral indices traded in the positive zone. BSE capital goods index jumped 3 per cent, followed by metal, realty,bankex and auto up 2 per cent.Consumer durables and oil & gas indices were up 1.8 per cent each as well.
From the Capital Goods space, L&T and BHEL added 2-4