MUMBAI: Market benchmark Sensex surged by 438 points today to snap a two-session losing run, tracking firm global trend after the U.S. Federal Reserve softened its stance on rate hikes, while value-buying in recent losers also helped the index post biggest single-day rally in nearly a month.
The 50-share NSE Nifty reclaimed the 7,700-mark by gaining 138.20 points or 1.82 percent to 7,735.20. Intra-day, it shuttled between 7,741.95 and 7,643.45.
Sentiment turned bullish after other Asian markets rose following a strong Wall Street closing as the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signalled that a rate hike was not likely to come before June.
Moreover, covering-up of short positions before tomorrow's expiry of March series in derivatives segment and hopes of a rate cut by Reserve Bank at the monetary policy review on Tuesday, accelerated buying further.
The 30-share Sensex after opening on a strong footing to recapture the crucial 25,000-mark, continued upward journey and hit the day's high of 25,358.84 points before settling 438.12 points or 1.76 percent to close at 25,338.58 -- its highest closing since January 6.
The gauge had lost over 437 points in the last two days.
Tata Steel emerged as the best performer and closed 6.75 percent up at Rs 324.40 after government extended the safeguard duty on some steel imports by two years till March 2018, to protect domestic industry.
Shares of Sun Pharma ended 2.21 percent higher at Rs 811.60 as the drug major forayed into Japanese prescription market by acquiring 14 brands from Swiss drug firm Novartis for over Rs 1,940 crore.
Gains in ICICI Bank, Lupin, Tata Motors, SBI, GAIL, BHEL, Adani Ports, Axis Bank, Asian Paints, Bajaj Auto, L&T, Hero MotoCorp, ONGC and Dr Reddy's too supported the rally.
Among the 30-Sensex constituents, 26 stocks ended with gains while four, HDFC, M&M, Bharti Airtel and Maruti Suzuki, fell.
Sector-wise, BSE realty index gained most by rising 3.85 percent followed by bankex (3.13 pc), metal (3.06 pc), capital goods (2.73 pc), power (2.53 pc), PSU (2.33 pc), healthcare (1.99 pc) and oil&gas (1.98 pc).
The broader markets too displayed a firm trend as retail investors widened their positions with BSE small-cap index rising 1.87 percent and mid-cap gaining 1.81 percent.
Meanwhile, foreign funds continued buying spree as they bought shares worth Rs 513.45 crore yesterday as per provisional data.
Globally, Asian markets, including Hong Kong and Singapore ended 2.15 percent and 2.77 percent higher, while Japan's Nikkei fell 1.31 percent. European markets were also in better shape in early deals.
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