MUMBAI: Benchmarks ended a choppy session on a positive note as traders squared positions on the July series settlement day. Losses in oil&gas and pharma stocks were offset by gains in banks and auto stocks. Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex ended at 17996.46, up 39.09 points or 0.22 per cent. The index touched a high of 18005.87 and low of 17902.84.
National Stock Exchange’s Nifty closed at 5411, down 13.9 points or 0.26 per cent. The broader index hit a high of 5415.85 and low of 5381.55.
BSE Midcap Index was up 0.27 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index moved 0.16 per cent lower.
Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Oil&gas Index slipped 0.51 per cent and BSE Healthcare Index declined 0.31 per cent. BSE Bankex moved up 0.95 per cent and BSE Auto Index advanced 0.48 per cent.
HDFC (2.65%), Hindalco Industries (2.50%), ICICI Bank (2.14%), Tata Motors (1.65%) and Sterlite Industries (1.62%) were amongst the top Sensex gainers.
Losers included Reliance Communications (-2.32%), Bharti Airtel (-1.26%), Reliance Infrastructure (-0.99%), Cipla (-0.73%) and Reliance Industries (-0.71%).
Market breadth was positive on the BSE with 1425 gainers against 1503 losers.
