Post Market Commentary - Apr 3 2008

The Indian market closed in the positive territory on a volatile trading session. Tracking the favoring cues from the Asian markets, the domestic market opened on a firm note but was unable to sustain at higher levels as the profit booking prevails. However, buying the lower levels towards the final trading hours of the session led the market to close on a positive note. From the sectoral front, the oil & gas and IT remained in the limelight as most buying was seen from these baskets while Capital goods stocks remained out of favor.

The BSE Sensex closed higher by 82.15 points at 15,832.55 and NSE Nifty closed up by 17.4 points at 4,771.60. The BSE Mid Caps and Small Caps closed lower by 25.74 points and 71.85 points at 6,387.23 and 7,840.29 respectively.

The market breadth was weak as 1409 stocks closed in red as against 1215 stocks that closed in green.

The Oil and Gas index surged 203.80 points at 10,531.88. Major gainers are Essar oil 5.05%, Aban Offshore 4.35%, Cairn India 3.12%, RPL 2.78%, Reliance industries 2.14%, ONGC 0.84% and Gail India 0.63%.

The Metal index closed up by 71.87 points at 13,588.76 as Hindalco inds 2.52%, Tata Steel 2.11%, Welspun Guj 1.82%, SAIL 1.07% and Sterlite industries 0.67% closed in green.

The IT index closed higher by 120.56 points at 3,764.91. Gainers are Rolta India 6.89%, Satyam 5.11%, Wipro 5.04%, TCS 4.13%, Niit Techno 2.70%, Infosys 2.68%, Patni Comp 2.25% closed in positive.

The Bankex index closed flat at 7,820.62 as Yes bank 6.33%, BOB 3.66%, Canara bank 2.34% closed in red while Oriental bank 2.45%, Federal bank 1.75%, Andhra bank 1.28% closed in green.

From the FMCG space, United SPR 4.02%, HUL 3.20%, United Breweries 3.09%, Tata Tea 2.55%, Rei Agro 1.29% and Marico 1.11% closed higher.

The Capital Goods index fell by 283.42 points to close at 13,214.73. Major losers are Bhel 5.27%, Suzlon energy 4.68%, ABB 4.36%, Thermax 3.80%, Crompton Greaves 2.50%, AIA Engineering 2.11% and Siemens 1.87%.

The BSE Realty index increased by 22.15 points to close at 7,523.32 as Akruti city 4.23%, Penland 4.07%, Phoenix mill 2.91%, Mahindra Life 1.54%, Anant Raj 0.38% and DLF 0.31% closed in positive.