Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Monday after two days of decline, supported by buying in index majors Infosys, ITC and Bajaj Finance
Published Date – 06:30 PM, Mon – 21 August 23
Mumbai: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Monday after two days of decline, supported by buying in index majors Infosys, ITC and Bajaj Finance amid a mixed trend in global markets.
In a range-bound trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 267.43 points or 0.41 per cent to settle at 65,216.09. During the day, it jumped 387.16 points or 0.59 per cent to 65,335.82.
The NSE Nifty gained 83.45 points or 0.43 per cent to end at 19,393.60.
“Markets started the week with an uptick and gained nearly half a per cent. After the initial choppiness, Nifty maintained a positive tone for most of the session however profit-taking in the end trimmed some gains,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP – Technical Research, Religare Broking Ltd.
Bajaj Finance was the biggest gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 2.70 per cent, followed by PowerGrid, IndusInd Bank, NTPC, Bharti Airtel, ITC, Bajaj Finserv, Infosys, Nestle, Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services, Titan and Axis Bank.
Reliance Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti and State Bank of India were among the laggards.
Meanwhile, shares of Jio Financial Services, the demerged financial services unit of Reliance Industries, listed on the bourses on Monday.
In the broader market, the BSE midcap gauge jumped 0.87 per cent, and smallcap index climbed 0.71 per cent.
All indices ended in the green, with utilities jumping 2.56 per cent, power climbing 2.31 per cent, metal (1.19 per cent), capital goods (1.09 per cent), realty (1.03 per cent), teck (1 per cent), commodities (0.95 per cent), industrials (0.92 per cent), IT (0.88 per cent) and healthcare (0.79 per cent).
“Asian stocks stumbled on Monday after China delivered a smaller cut to lending rates than markets had counted on, continuing Beijing’s run of disappointingly frugal stimulus steps. European stocks rebounded from a one-month low as higher energy prices buoyed oil producers,” Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities, said.
In Asian markets, Seoul and Tokyo settled in the green, while Shanghai and Hong Kong ended lower.
European markets were trading with gains. The US markets ended on a mixed note on Friday.
“A rebound in the global market after a significant correction prompted buying in domestic equities, particularly within the IT sector. However, the potential for volatility to linger in the near term remains due to the increasing dollar index and elevated US bond yields, fuelled by concerns about rate hikes.
“Investors are keenly observing the commentary from the Fed chair during its forthcoming summer conference for interest rate insights,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 266.98 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.60 per cent to USD 85.31 a barrel.
“Positive European market cues triggered a relief rally in domestic benchmark indices as investors resorted to short covering after taking a hit last week on the back of sharp FII selling and weak global cues.
“However, the market may continue to stay wobbly due to weak macroeconomic scenarios and volatility in global currency markets due to uptick in US bond yields,” Shrikant Chouhan, Head of Research (Retail), Kotak Securities Ltd, said.
