New Delhi: Amid high volatility, major benchmark indices ended Thursday’s trading session on a positive note.
The 30-share BSE Sensex ended 85 points higher at 61,235, while the broader NSE Nifty ended 45 points higher at 18,258. Both the indices registered gains for the fifth consecutive session.
Midcap and smallcap stocks also closed in the green as Nifty Midcap 100 index rose 0.65 per cent and Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose 0.61 per cent.
Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Coal India, Sun Pharma, UPL, Divis Labs and L&T were the top gainers on the 50-share index, ranging between 2 per cent and 6 per cent.
On the other hand, Wipro, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank and HCL Tech were among the laggards.
Of the 15 sector gauges compiled by the NSE, nine sectors closed in the green. Nifty Metal outperformed the index with a gain of 3.48 per cent.
“Indian markets opened for marginally positive despite negative Asian market peers following a higher inflation reading from the US and a higher-than-expected fall in bank credit to China in December.
“Markets managed to trade in the green with a narrow range during the afternoon session,” said Narendra Solanki, Head – Equity Research (Fundamentals), Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers.
Elsewhere in Asia, shares in Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul ended with losses, while Hong Kong closed in the green.
Stock exchanges in Europe were trading on a negative note in mid-session deals.
Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude rose 0.06 per cent to $84.62 per barrel.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market as they sold shares worth Rs 1,001.57 crore on Wednesday, according to stock exchange data.
Meanwhile, the rupee on Thursday edged higher by 3 paise at 73.90 (provisional) against the US dollar, according to PTI, as domestic equities and weak macroeconomic data weighed on investor sentiments.
Forex traders said rise in crude oil prices also weighed on the local unit.
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