Snapping a six-session long losing streak, the BSE benchmark index Sensex today recovered by over 56 points in early trade on the back of fresh buying by funds and retail investors amid a firm trend in Asian markets.

The 30-share barometer rose by 56.22 points, or 0.30 per cent, to 18,365.59 with stocks of realty, capital goods, IT and auto sectors leading the recovery. The index lost almost 593 points in the past six sessions.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 10.25 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 5,584.30. Brokers said the trading sentiment turned slightly better on selective buying by funds and retail investors, tracking a firm trend in Asian markets.

In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose by 0.24 per cent, while the Japan’s Nikkei by 1.33 per cent in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had ended 0.23 per cent higher in previous session on Friday.

GLOBAL MARKET NEWS

Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange rose 0.29 percent. The MSCI-Asia Pacific index excluding Japan was up 0.53 percent.

Hope that U.S. politicians would find common ground to steer clear of the fiscal cliff boosted stocks on Friday, though the gains were not enough to offset the week’s losses.

Asian shares rose on Monday, boosted by a positive tone in U.S. equities last week, while the yen fell to a near seven-month low against the dollar on expectations a new government after next month’s election in Japan may deliver more stimulus.

FACTORS TO WATCH

Day 1 of the RBI-ADB conference on managing capital flows. RBI deputy governor Subir Gokarn and H.R. Khan, as well as executive director Deepak Mohanty will attend the event.

C. Rangarajan, head of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will speak at an event hosted by the Export-Import Bank of India and will address a press conference. (0530 GMT)

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram will be in Bangalore for a meeting with the chief ministers of South Zone states and chiefs of state-run banks and financial institutions.

INDIAN STOCKS TO WATCH

India is planning to announce the finalised amendments to the controversial rules on tax evasion for foreign investors in the next 7-10 days, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said on Friday, without specifying the details of what will be announced.

FINANCIAL/REGULATORY

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the banking space may require clearance from fair market watchdog, Competition Commission of India (CCI), as well as the sector regulator, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Business Standard reported, citing an unidentified key CCI official.

Hong Kong-based private equity firm NewQuest Capital Partners expects to invest about $140 million in India, hoping to capitalize on the so-called secondary opportunities in the country, said Amit Gupta, partner and head of the India business at NewQuest.

ENERGY/COMMODITIES

The ministry of coal has issued deallocation letters for eight coal blocks after a decision by the inter-ministerial group. Among companies affected by the deallocation were Grasim Industries, Gujarat Ambuja Cement, Electrotherm, and Kesoram Industries.