Sensex closes 144 points up, broader markets gain (Roundup)
March 24th, 2011 - 6:39 pm ICT by IANS
Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday closed 144 points higher on what was a tight range-bound trading day. Broader markets also gained even as oil prices remained stable globally.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,286.42 points, closed at 18,350.74 points, up 144.58 points or 0.79 percent from its previous close at 18,206.16 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P; CNX Nifty shut shop 0.77 percent higher at 5,522.4 points.
Oil prices eased to about $105 a barrel in the US as high levels of crude stocks erased fears of supply shortages because of low supplies from the Middle East, especially Libya.
Broader markets also ended in the positive, with the BSE midcap index closing 0.78 percent up, while the BSE smallcap moved up 0.67 percent.
Most of the sectors saw buying support with realty and auto stocks gaining the most.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,599 stocks advancing compared to 1,259 scrips on the decline. A total of 140 stocks remained unchanged.
Among the gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: Hindalco, up 4.25 percent at Rs.204.75; M&M;, up 2.88 percent at Rs.664.35; BHEL, up 2.82 percent at Rs.2,050.60 and TCS, up 2.76 percent at Rs.1,093.45.
Losers on the benchmark index included Maruti Suzuki, down 0.6 percent at Rs.1,168.60; Bajaj Auto, down 0.42 percent at Rs.1,353.30; Hindustan Unilever, down 0.3 percent at Rs.268.80 and RIL, down 0.25 percent at Rs.1,010.10.
Other Asian markets ended mixed as worries over the economic impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan weighed heavy on investor’s minds.
The Japanese Nikkei average closed marginally in the red at 9,435.01 points, down 0.15 percent.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng nudged up 0.39 percent to 22,915.28 points, while China’s Shanghai Composite closed 0.06 percent lower at 2,946.71 points.
European stocks were trading in the green as fresh data pointed to continued growth in the economy of the Euro zone.
Around mid-day, the French CAC 40 was trading 0.55 percent up at 3,935.29 points, while Britain’s FTSE was ruling 0.85 percent higher at 5,844.88 points.
The German DAX was ruling 0.86 percent up at 6,862.74 points.
- Sensex slips 136 points, consumer durables, banking stocks lose (Lead) - Mar 28, 2012
- Sensex plunges 277 points on weak global cues (Roundup) - Apr 23, 2012
- Sensex up 144 points in noon trade - May 10, 2012
- Sensex closes 117 points up, metals gain (Roundup) - Jan 13, 2012
- Sensex rises, capital goods, metal and IT stocks buying picks up - May 15, 2012
- Sensex edges lower, negative global cues weigh (Roundup) - Jul 18, 2011
- IT stocks drag Sensex 138 points lower (Roundup) - Jan 12, 2012
- Sensex in see-saw trade, consumer durables, realty stocks up - Mar 27, 2012
- Sensex slips 100 points; metal, telecom stocks slump - Apr 11, 2012
- Sensex closes 108 points down, mid, small scrips lose heavily - Aug 16, 2011
- Sensex rises 120 points, FMCG, realty, metal stocks up - May 17, 2012
- Sensex 117 points up, snaps out of four-day losing spree (Roundup) - Aug 01, 2011
- Sensex closes 244 points down, manages 1.8 percent in weekly gains - Sep 30, 2011
- Sensex plunges 425 points to end below 16,000 points - Nov 21, 2011
- Sensex closes 276 points lower weighed by TCS, negative cues - Oct 18, 2011
Tags: asian markets, auto stocks, benchmark index, bhel, bombay stock exchange, cnx, crude stocks, european stocks, market breadth, maruti suzuki, national stock exchange, nikkei average, ril, rs 2, scrip, scrips, sensitive index, shanghai composite, supply shortages, tsunami in japan