Key indices drift higher in volatile session

Rising For 3rd Session

• BSE Sensex closed 86.53 pts or 0.13% higher at 66,988.44
• During the day, Sensex hit a high of 67,069.89 and a low of 66,610.35
• Nifty edged up 36.55 pts or 0.18% to 20,133.15
• UltraTech Cement, Sun Pharma, Airtel, M&M, Wipro, Titan, Axis Bank and Bajaj Finserv were gainers
• IndusInd Bank, Asian Paints, Power Grid, RIL, Tata Motors and SBI among laggards
• FIIs bought equities worth Rs71.91 cr

Mumbai: Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty eked out gains on Thursday to extend the winning run for a third straight day in a highly volatile trade amid the scheduled monthly derivatives expiry and muted trend in the US markets.

The 30-share BSE Sensex closed 86.53 points or 0.13 per cent higher at 66,988.44, registering its third day of gains. Sensex hit a high of 67,069.89 and a low of 66,610.35 in day trade. The broader Nifty50 edged up 36.55 points or 0.18 per cent to close at 20,133.15.

“Asian stocks mostly rose on Thursday to clock their strongest performance in 10 months, as investor sentiment warmed on a relatively benign global interest rates outlook and signs of economic recovery. European stocks rose mildly,” said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs71.91 crore, according to exchange data. In the broader market, the BSE small-cap gauge climbed 0.96 per cent and mid-cap index jumped 0.83 per cent. Among the indices, healthcare rallied 1.66 per cent, consumer durables rallied 1.61 per cent, realty jumped 1.52 per cent, industrials (1.48%), capital goods (1.39%) and consumer discretionary (0.77%). Stock markets witnessed heavy volatility due to the monthly expiry of derivatives contracts and oscillated between gains and losses during the day. Despite heavy volatility, the combined market valuation of all listed companies on the leading stock exchange BSE continued to remain above the $4-trillion mark for the second day in a row. The market valuation of all listed companies on the BSE reached the $4-trillion milestone for the first time ever on Wednesday. Analysts said that investors were awaiting GDP and other macro numbers scheduled for release after market hours.