Sensex holds firm in afternoon trade


Mumbai: A benchmark index for Indian equities markets continued to hold on to early gains and was ruling about 198 points in afternoon trade Wednesday. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,552.19 points, was ruling at 18,679.2 points up 186.75 points or 1.01 percent from its previous close at 18,492.45 points. The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading higher at 5,598.2 points, up 0.95 percent. Broader markets notched up moderate gains with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.73 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index up 0.84 percent. The market breadth was positive, with 1,739 stocks advancing, 957 on the decline and 108 remaining unchanged. Among gainers on the Sensex were Sterlite Industries, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, and Reliance Infra, while the losers on the benchmark were ONGC, Bajaj Auto, Jaiprakash Associates and DLF. Asian markets were mixed amid fears that Greece could default on its sovereign debts inspite of several of its major French lenders agreeing to roll over the debts so that the country would not have to face immediate payment calls. The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 1.54 percent higher at 9,797.26 points, while the Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange was trading flat at 22,056.25 points. The Chinese Shanghai composite index was ruling 1.11 percent lower at 2,728.48 points
Source: IANS