A morning walk down Dalal Street | Nifty must continue to hold above 10,550 for up move towards 10,750

A strengthening rupee also boosted sentiment on D-Street, while investors shrugged off weak sentiment coming in from lower crude oil prices.

The index failed to surpass previous day highs (10,651) and consolidated for most part of the trading session, but closing above 10,600 indicated that it could rally further in coming session, experts said. 

The Nifty after opening flat gained momentum to surpass 10,600 in morning itself followed by small correction to hit day's low off 10,557.50. The index gradually gained strength again in late morning deals and touched a day's high of 10,646.50 in afternoon. It closed 40.40 points higher at 10,616.70.