Sensex, Nifty lose early gains after record rise in Covid-19 cases

The NSE Nifty 50 index rose 0.29% to 14,660.05 by 9:31 am, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex advanced 0.18% to 48,762.86.

Indian shares edged higher on Thursday, buoyed by gains in metal stocks on strong steel futures and solid quarterly results from Tata Steel, even as the country grappled with the relentless spike in COVID-19 cases. The NSE Nifty 50 index rose 0.29% to 14,660.05 by 9:31 am, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex advanced 0.18% to 48,762.86. India reported more than 400,000 coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours, taking the total tally past 21 million, while deaths rose by a record 3,980, health ministry data showed.