Sensex closes 202 points up, joins global bourses’ strong show (Roundup)

MUMBAI - A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday closed 202 points higher than its previous close amid a strong global rally.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,228.91 points, closed at 16,428.91 points, up 202.23 points or 1.25 percent from its previous close.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 4,914 points, against the previous close at 4,855.75 points, a gain of 1.2 percent or 58.25 points.

Broader markets also closed in the green, with the BSE midcap index ending 0.79 percent up and the BSE small cap index 0.61 percent higher.

Consumer durables, metals and and banking scrips rallied, while realty, IT, and healthcare stocks came under selling pressure.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,702 stocks advancing, 1,117 on the decline and 91 remaining unchanged.

Among major gainers on the Sensex were Tata Steel, up 6.37 percent at Rs.584.90; Hindalco, up 5.2 percent at Rs.152.80; Sterlite Industries, up 3.54 percent at Rs.788.65, and HDFC Bank, up 2.95 percent at Rs.1,654.15.

Top losers included DLF, down 1.34 percent at Rs.305.65; Infosys, down 0.62 percent at Rs.2,519.95; NTPC, down 0.39 percent at Rs.201.95, and ONGC, down 0.26 percent at Rs.1,099.25.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors were net buyers Wednesday, having bought scrips worth $55.64 million.

Other Asian markets too closed with significant gains.

The benchmark Japanese index, Nikkei, closed 2.72 percent higher at 10,306.83 points, while the South Korean Kospi ended 1.65 percent higher at 1,627.43 points.

Chinese and Hong Kong exchanges were closed on account of the week-long Lunar New Year holiday.

European shares too joined the global rally and started trade on a firm note.

At closing bell here, the FTSE 100, the benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling 0.64 percent higher at 5,277.8 points, while its German peer DAX was trading at 5,648.56 points, up 1.01 percent.

The French CAC 40 index was up 1.49 percent at 3,723.77 points.