Sensex closes 333 points higher


Sensex closes 333 points higher
Mumbai: A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday shut shop 2 percent higher than its previous close after buying sentiments picked up across markets globally. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,210.25 points, ended at 16,496.05 points, up 332.61 points or 2.06 percent over Tuesday's close at 16,163.44 points. At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 4,931.85 points, against the previous close at 4,830.1 points, a gain of 2.11 percent or 101.75 points. The stock chart for 52-weeks is given on left. Broader market indices also ended in the green, with the BSE midcap index up 1.5 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 1.06 percent higher. All the BSE sectoral indices ended positive, with metals, realty, consumer durables and consumer goods scrips gaining most. The market breadth was positive, with 1,775 stocks advancing against 1,046 scrips declining and 100 remaining unchanged. All but one of the 30 scrips on the Sensex gained, with L&T, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank being among key stocks that provided much of the impetus to its rally. Top four gainers on the Sensex were Sterlite Industries, up 5.97 percent at 780.30; Tata Steel, up 4.91 percent at 600.40; L&T, up 3.8 percent at 1,449.85; and HDFC up 3.76 percent at 2,509.95. The sole loser was Sun Pharma, down 1 percent at 1,499.80. According to data with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors were net buyers Wednesday having bought scrips worth $2.35 million. Other major Asian markets were in the green as well, with the benchmark Japanese index, Nikkei, closing 0.32 percent higher at 10,404.33 points, and the Hang Seng of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange rising 2.22 percent at 20,722.08 points. The Chinese Shanghai composite index too was in the positive terrain at 3,003.83 points, 2.36 percent up, while the Korean Kospi ended 1.2 percent higher at 1,615.02 points. Strong metal stocks helped European markets trade positive. At the closing bell in Mumbai, FTSE 100, the benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling 0.15 percent higher at 5,291.49 points, while the French CAC 40 index was up 0.37 percent at 3,826.38 points. Its German peer DAX was also ruling 0.26 percent higher at 5,724.65 points.
Source: IANS