Markets close higher after volatile trading

Wednesday, 04 February 2009, 00:23 IST
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Mumbai: Indian equities markets closed marginally higher Tuesday after witnessing volatile trade throughout the day. A key index ended trade 0.91 percent higher than its previous close. The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) closed at 9,149.3 points, up 0.91 percent or 82.6 points. At the same time, the S&P CNX Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was at 2,783.9 points, 0.62 percent up from its Monday close of 2,766.65 points. However, broader market indices were down, with the BSE midcap index shedding 0.77 percent and the BSE smallcap index ending 0.42 percent lower. Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, oil and gas and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) indices gained the most, signifying healthy buying of such stocks. Top gainers on Sensex included Grasim Industries (up 7.15 percent at 1,274.80), ACC (up 5.1 percent at 518.20), Maruti Suzuki (up 3.06 percent at 583.95) and BHEL (up 2.36 percent at 1,338.65). Among top gainers on the BSE is Spice Telecom, which gained 6.63 percent at 86. Among losers (Sensex) were DLF (down 13.25 percent at 132.90), Tata Motors (down 6.41 percent at 133.50) and Hindalco (down 2.82 percent at 44.80). Major losers on BSE were Educomp (down 12.28 percent at 1,490.05) and Indiabulls Realty (down 8.94 percent at 93.15). Overall market sentiment was mixed with 1,339 stocks declining, 1,074 scrips advancing and 101 remaining unchanged. In Asian markets, a key Japanese index, the Nikkei of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, closed 0.86 percent lower at 7,806.46 points. However, the Hang Seng, a key index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ended 0.62 percent higher than its last close.
Source: IANS