Shrugging off a rise in food prices and weak global markets, the Bombay Stock Exchange index Sensex today spurted by 177 points on value buying in blue chips like Reliance Industries and Infosys.

The 30-share gauge, which had commenced the day lower, bounced by 176.86 points to 17,727.49 with most of the heavyweights ending in positive zone.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose 41.70 points to 5,320, after moving in range of 5,330.60 and 5,252.25 points.

Brokers said rising food inflation failed to dent the sentiment, as general investors and funds flocked the market to invest in some of the valuable stocks available at existing lower levels.

A weakening trend in Asia and lower opening in Europe also did not spoil the party, they added.

Sensex leader Reliance Industries rose 2.9 per cent, wiping off its earlier losses this year. IT bellwether and the second most valuable company after RIL, Infosys, rose nearly one per cent.

Tobacco major ITC, Anil Ambani group company RCom, State-run oil and gas company ONGC, largest IT services exporter TCS and FMCG major HUL were among the major gainers.

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