Sensex up nearly 300 points, Nifty nears 17,600 at open

Mumbai, 24/2: Sensex on Friday climbed 297.25 points to 59,903.05 points in the early trade, while Nifty advanced 88.5 points to 17,599.75 points.

Meanwhile, rupee fell 5 paise to 82.69 against US dollar in the early trade.