Auto firms gain; Hero MotoCorp up 3.5 pct

Employees work on an assembly line of Hero Motocorp during a media tour to the newly opened plant in Neemrana, October 20, 2014. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee

Reuters Market Eye - Shares of automobile companies gain sharply. Traders say sentiment is high as strong sales expected in the festive season. Hero MotoCorp said it expected 40-50 percent higher sales in Dhanteras, considered an auspicious day for buying and making investments. Hero shares up 3.44 percent to hit an all-time high. Maruti Suzuki (India) Ltd adds 1.9 percent and Mahindra and Mahindra is up 0.9 percent. (Reporting by Indulal PM)