Sensex closes 127 points after seesaw trade

MUMBAI, July 7: A key index of the Indian equities markets closed on a high on Tuesday amid volatile conditions, ending trade almost 127 points up from its last closing figure. The 30-scrip benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, which opened at 14,103.65 points, rose 127.05 points or 0.9 per cent to 14,170.45 points.

The Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed 0.88 per cent higher at 4,202.15 points. Broader market indices ended mixed, with the BSE midcap index up 0.92 per cent and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.33 per cent lower. Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, those for PSU, energy, and IT scrips ended in the red, while those for auto, FMCG and capital goods stocks gained the most.

The market breadth was negative as scrips of smaller companies saw selling. About 1,071 stocks advanced compared to 1,461 declining. Ninty-eight remained unchanged.

Gainers among the Sensex included ITC, up 6.77 per cent at Rs 211.20; Jaiprakash Associates, up 6.65 per cent at Rs 205.95; Hero Honda, up 5.8 per cent at Rs 1,437.50; and M&M, up 5.64 per cent at Rs 750.45. Among the losers were Reliance Industries, down 2.02 per cent at Rs 1,855.35; ONGC, down 1.91 per cent at Rs 1,049.95; Reliance Communications, down 1.73 per cent at Rs 264.75; and Tata Motors, down 1.24 per cent at Rs 279.85.

Volumes were quite low with the total traded turnover at Rs 82,731.39 crore as against Rs 1,25,499.58 crore on Tuesday. This included Rs 17,219.56 crore from the NSE cash segment, Rs 60,222.63 crore from the NSE futures and options and the balance Rs 5,289.20 crore from the BSE cash segment.

In other Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, a key index of the Tokyo stock exchange, closed 33.08 points down to end Tuesday’s trade at 9,647.79 points. The Hang Seng, a primary index of the Hong Kong stock exchange, closed in the red, down 117.14 points at 17,862.27 points.

European markets were trading in the green with the FTSE 100, a key British index was up 36.13 points, while its French peer CAC 40 was 18.17 points. (IANS)