Sensex breaches 16k at close

The Sensex for the first time closed above 16,000 mark in 2009. It breached the psychological level of 16,000 on renewed buying interest. Both Sensex and Nifty crossed their crucial levels and closed at 15 month highs today. Realty stocks were in the limelight followed by metal and banking stocks. Tata Motors, Reliance Communications and ICICI Bank also led the rally.

The benchmark index, Sensex opened with a gain of 104.15 points, at 15,793.27 on Monday on firm global cues and proceeded to trade higher the entire day on account of intense selling seen across board. Nifty crossed the crucial level of 4,750 today. Before one hour of the final close, the Sensex gained ground and hit 16,000 level for the first time by touching the day`s high of 16,035.50. Finally opening of positive European market also boosted the sentiment.

Secondline stocks ended higher for the third straight session. BSE Midcap and Smallcap index rose 2.31% and 2.83% respectively.

On sectoral front, BSE Realty gained the most. The counter soared over 5% followed by Metal and Bankex, which surged over 3% each, Consumer durables, Auto and Teck advanced over 2%, Capital goods, Oil & gas and Power rose over 1% each, while FMCG dipped 0.08%.

Asian stocks rose as the Group of 20 nations agreed on steps to shore up the financial system, while merger speculation boosted technology shares. Japanese benchmark index Nikkei gained 133.83 points, or 1.31%, to end at 10,320.94. Hong Kong`s Hang Seng index climbed 310.69 points, or 1.53%, to close at 20,629.31. China`s Shanghai Composite increased 19.51 points, or 0.68% to settle at 7,224.59.

European stocks advanced as the Group of 20 nations agreed on steps to shore up the global financial system and Kraft Foods offered to buy Cadbury. UK`s benchmark index FTSE 100 rose 126.30 points, or 2.63%, to trade at 4,923.26. French benchmark index CAC 40 gained 51.28 points, or 1.42%, to trade at 3,650.82. Germany`s benchmark index DAX increased 76.98 points, or 1.42%, to trade at 5,460.54

The Sensex ended the day with a gain of 327.20 points, or 2.09% at 16,016.32 after touching a high of 16,035.50 and a low of 15,793.27. The broad-based NSE Nifty climbed 102.50 points, or 2.19% at 4,782.90 after hitting a high of 4,790.00 and a low of 4,679.30.

Major gainers in the 30-share index were Tata Motors (11.32%), Reliance Communications (6.62%), ICICI Bank (6.01%), Jaiprakash Associates (5.99%), Sterlite Industries (India) (5.38%), and DLF (5.03%).

On the other hand, ITC (0.92%), and Mahindra & Mahindra (0.53%) were the major losers in the Sensex.

Overall market breadth was sharply positive. Out of the total 2,885 stocks traded at BSE, 2,243 advanced, 589 declined while 53 remained unchanged.