Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, closed over half a per cent higher today. The indices opened on a negative note, but rebounded after the Reserve Bank of India announced a rate cut, and traded with gains for most of the intraday session. The Sensex surged 447 points, to close at 85 thousand 712, while the Nifty added 153 points, to settle at 26 thousand and 186. The broader market indices at the Bombay Stock Exchange closed mixed. The Mid-Cap index advanced 0.2 per cent, while the Small-Cap index declined almost 0.7 per cent.
In the Sensex pack, 24 out of 30 companies edged upward. In the top gainers, State Bank of India surged almost two and half a per cent, Bajaj Finserv rose nearly 2.1 per cent and Bajaj Finance added 1.9 per cent. Among the top laggards, Hindustan Unilever Limited tumbled three and half a per cent, Eternal lost over 1.1 per cent and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited fell over 0.8 per cent.
Across sectoral indices at the BSE, 14 out of 21 sectors ended with gains, except Utilities and Consumer Discretionary, which remained unchanged. Among the top gainers, Focused IT advanced 0.9 per cent, Bankex gained almost 0.9 per cent, and Metal as well as Teck, both rose over 0.7 per cent. Among the key decliners, Services slipped almost 0.6 per cent, Capital Goods dipped over 0.4 per cent and Industrials dropped nearly 0.3 per cent.
The overall market breadth at the BSE was negative, as shares of 2,342 companies declined, 1,805 advanced, and 181 remained unchanged.
