Mumbai Dec 11 (IANS) Key Indian equity indices extended their gains for the third consecutive session on Monday as positive global cues alongwith healthy buying in auto IT and healthcare stocks lifted market sentiment.
On a closing basis the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged higher by 56.60 points or 0.55 per cent to 10 322.25 points.
The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE closed at 33 455.79 points -- up 205.49 points or 0.62 per cent -- from its previous close.
The BSE market breadth was bullish -- 1 411 advances and 1 294 declines.
"Markets rallied higher on Monday to close with gains for the third consecutive session. IT stocks led from the front even as strong gains in Coal India and index heavyweights HDFC and ITC helped key indices rise " Deepak Jasani Head Retail Research HDFC Securities told IANS.
"Positive global cues aided the market sentiments. Broad market indices like the BSE mid-cap and small-cap indices gained less thereby underperforming the main indices " he added.
In the broader markets the S&P BSE mid-cap index closed higher by 0.36 per cent and the small-cap index by 0.22 per cent.
On the currency front the rupee strengthened by nine paise to close at 64.36 against the US dollar from its previous close at 64.45.
"Indian equities advanced as continuous buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) amid strong global markets lifted sentiments " Dhruv Desai Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls told IANS.
Provisional data with the exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors sold scrips worth Rs 185.60 crore while DIIs bought stocks worth Rs 108.94 crore.
Vinod Nair Head of Research Geojit Financial Services said: "Market extended gains amid better US economic data which provides the scope of global market stability.
"On the domestic front optimism on election result in favor of the ruling party continues to attract liquidity in the market."
Sector-wise the S&P BSE automobile index rose by 164.63 points followed by IT index by 107.75 points and banking index by 102.85 points.
On the other hand the S&P BSE oil and gas index was down 37.46 points energy index by 7.89 points and realty index by 3.08 points.
Major Sensex gainers on Monday were: Tata Consultancy Services up 2.35 per cent at Rs 2 662; Mahindra and Mahindra up 2.16 per cent at Rs 1 419; Lupin up 2.15 per cent at Rs 837.70; HDFC up 2.14 per cent at Rs 1 713.20; and Wipro up 2.12 per cent at Rs 289.25.
Major Sensex losers were: NTPC down 1.36 per cent at Rs 177.50; ONGC down 0.78 per cent at Rs 178.90; Reliance Industries down 0.55 per cent at Rs 915.90; Hindustan Unilever down 0.48 per cent at Rs 1 320.35; and Adani Ports down 0.42 per cent at Rs 390.95.
--IANS
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