Sensex ends up 108.11 pts; Auto leads

Markets ended the buoyant trading day on a strong note on back of positive global cues. Buying was witnessed in auto, banking, healthcare and IT stocks. Marginal selling was seen in realty, metal, PSU and consumer durables stocks.

European and Asian shares climbed after French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the euro region is ready to rescue Greece should the government struggle to fund its budget deficit. U.S. index futures were little changed. UK`s benchmark index FTSE 100 increased 57.28 points, or 1.03%, to trade at 5,583.93. Germany`s DAX index shed 5.12 points or 0.09% 5,871.74. Meanwhile, Japanese benchmark index Nikkei 225 rose 216.96 points, or 2.09%, to end at 10,585.92. Hong Kong`s Hang Seng increased 408.90 points, or 1.97%, to end at 21,196.87. (4:09 p..m)

At the close, the benchmark 30-share index, BSE Sensex added 108.11 or 0.64% at 17,102.60 with 20 components posting rise. Meanwhile, the broad based NSE Nifty went up by 35 or 0.69% at 5,124 with 35 components registering rise (updated as on 16.02).

Sensex Movers

ICICI Bank contributed rise of 31.23 points in the Sensex. It was followed by I T C (20.76 points), Infosys Technologies (17.22 points), Larsen & Toubro (13.38 points) and Mahindra & Mahindra (12.65 points).

However, Bharti Airtel contributed fall of 10.91 points in the Sensex. It was followed by Reliance Industries (10.41 points), Hindustan Unilever (5.64 points), Hindalco Industries (3.29 points) and Reliance Infrastructure (3.09 points).

Major gainers in the 30-share index were Mahindra & Mahindra (4.33%), Hero Honda Motors (3.09%), ITC (2.43%), ICICI Bank (2.32%), ACC (2.12%), and Wipro (1.52%).

On the other hand, Bharti Airtel (2.13%), Hindustan Unilever (1.59%), Reliance Energy (1.52%), Hindalco Industries (1.10%), Reliance Communications (0.55%), and Reliance Industries (0.47%) were the major losers in the Sensex.

Mid & Small-cap Space

The BSE Mid and small caps outperformed their larger counterparts gaining 0.71% and 1.09% respectively.

The major gainers in the BSE Midcap were Core Projects and Technologies (5.63%), Aban Offshore (5.58%), Reliance MediaWorks (1.38%), Alstom Projects India (0.66%) and Alfa-Laval (India) (0.22%).

The major gainers in the BSE Smallcap were INEOS ABS (India) (11.97%), Provogue (India) (2.28%), ABG Shipyard (1.79%), Adhunik Metaliks (1.75%) and Abhishek Industries (0.07%).

Sectors in Limelight

The Auto index was at 7,688.14, up by 134.94 points or by 1.79%. The major gainers were Bharat Forge (3.61%), Apollo Tyres (3.29%), Hero Honda Motors (3.09%), Exide Industries (0.87%) and Bajaj Auto (0.57%).

The Bankex index was at 10,310.37, up by 111.38 points or by 1.09%. The major gainers were Allahabad Bank(5.33%), ICICI Bank (2.32%), Federal Bank (1.51%), Bank Of Baroda (0.92%) and Bank Of India (0.77%).

The HC index was at 5,095.33, up by 45.64 points or by 0.90%. The major gainers were Bilcare (5.86%), Dr Reddy`S Laboratories (1.26%), Biocon (0.63%), Dishman Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals (0.47%) and Cipla (0.14%).

On the other hand, the Realty index was at 3,439.87, down by 20.32 points or by 0.59%. The major losers were Housing Development and Infrastructure (1.5%), Peninsula Land (1.46%), Mahindra Lifespace Developers (1.21%), Indiabulls Real Estate (0.43%) and Ackruti City (0.35%).

Market Breadth

Market breadth was positive with 1,747 advances against 1,113 declines.

Value and Volume Toppers

State Bank Of India topped the value chart on the BSE with a turnover of Rs. 2,599.44 million. It was followed by ARSS Infrastructure Projects (Rs. 2,375.69 million), Jagran Prakashan (Rs. 1,946.41 million) and Rural Electrification Corporation (Rs. 1,205.91 million).

The volume chart was led by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision with trades of over 17.17 million shares. It was followed by Jagran Prakashan (15.91 million), Suzlon Energy (8.24 million) and Unitech (6.89 million).