Thaindian News

Mumbai, Feb 21 (IANS) A benchmark index at Indian equities markets Tuesday closed 139 points higher, touching a seven-month high, as lingering interest from overseas investors continued to fuel a rally which started in the New Year.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,303.73 points, closed at 18,428.61 points, 139.26 points or 0.76 percent up from its previous close at 18,289.35 points.

The 50-scrip S&P; CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended higher at 5,607.15 points, up 42.85 points or 0.77 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets also ended in the green, with the BSE 500 index closing 0.74 percent up. The BSE midcap index was up 0.91 percent while the BSE smallcap index gained 1.2 percent.

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included BHEL, up 4.78 percent at Rs.317.95; ONGC, up 3.7 percent at Rs.291.70; RIL, up 2.92 percent at Rs.841.80; and Bharti Airtel, up 2.79 percent at Rs.359.30.

Major losers included Sterlite, down 3.46 percent at Rs.128.40; Tata Power, down 2.61 percent at Rs.115.55; Wipro, down 1.46 percent at Rs.442.65; and Infosys, down 0.46 percent at Rs.2,937.15.

The market breadth was positive with 1,674 stocks advancing, 1,301 on the decline and 112 unchanged.

Overseas funds, which have been the main catalyst for the dramatic rise in Indian equities in 2012, continued with their buying spree.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought equities worth $120.82 million Tuesday.

FIIs have put in $4.97 billion since the start of the year, having bought equities worth $2.03 billion in January and $2.93 billion till Friday during February.

Asian markets closed on a quiet note as investors cautiously eyed if Greece would be able to secure a second bail-out package. Expectations of the package had driven up stocks in the region in the past week.

The Japanese Nikkei fell 0.23 percent to shut shop at 9,463.02 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng nudged up 0.25 percent to close at 21,478.72 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index rose 0.75 percent to end at 2,381.43 points.

European markets were ruling lower as investors booked gains, after an initial run up to the news that Greece would be getting a second bail out pack.

Britain’s FTSE 100 was down 0.34 percent at 5,924.78 points. The German DAX was trading 0.62 percent lower at 6,905.25 points.

The French CAC 40 was trading 0.57 percent down at 3,452.87 points.