Sensex ekes out slim gains...Small-Caps rally

The Sensex gained 32 points to close at 18,238, the index hit an intra-day high of 18,356 and an intra-day low of 18,215. While, NSE Nifty added 14 points to close at 5,486.

Among the BSE sectoral indices, the BSE Consumer Durables index was the top gainer the index was up 1.1%, followed by BSE FMCG index (up 0.8%) and BSE Bank index (up 0.8%) and BSE Auto index (up 0.6%).



Even the broader indices ended with gains, the BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.8% and BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.6%. Among the major losers were, BSE IT index down 0.7% and BSE Teck index was down 0.6%.

Markets in Asia ended in the green; the Nikkei in Japan gained 1.5%, Australia's S&P/ASX ended higher by 0.8%, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong added by 1.1% and the Shanghai SE Composite edged higher by 1.2%.

The European indices were mixed, the DAX in Germany was flat, the CAC 40 index in France was flat and the FTSE in the UK was up 0.2%.

Outside the frontline indices, the big gainers in the broader market were Gujarat NRE Coke, IOB, Ispat Ind, Exide Ind and EKC. On the other hand, losers included Hindustan Copper, Adani Ent, Mundra Port and Piramal Health.

Suzlon, Apollo Tyres, Gujarat NRE Coke, Bayer Corp, MRF, IOBExide Industries, Deepak fertilizers, Ispat Industries and Bata India wereamong the notable gainers in the broader market.

Outside the two main indices, the key losers KGN Industries, Sterlite Industries,Hindustan Copper, Dredging Corp, Hero Honda, Adani Power, STC, FDC andHindustan Zinc.

Theshares of Suzlon Energy Ltd., spurtedin the last few minutes with the stock shooting up by as much 13.50% on BSEeven as the main indices remained range bound. The stock last traded atRs52.20, up Rs5.60 from the previous close. The stock hit a high of Rs52.90 anda low of Rs46.35 after opening at Rs47. Total traded quantity on the counterstood at 90.80 lakh shares on BSE.

Theshares of Welspun Corp Ltd., closed higher at Rs246,up Rs7.60 or 3.19%, over the previous close. The stock hit a high of Rs248.65and a low of Rs239.30, after opening at Rs241.50.

The shares of Apollo Tyres Ltd., closed higher at Rs82.30, up Rs8.65 or 11.74% over the previousclose. The stock touched an intra day high of Rs 83.95 and low of Rs74.90,after opening at Rs75.

The Shares of Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd., closed higher at Rs60.90 up Rs 4.30 or 7.60% over theprevious close. The stock touched an intra day high of Rs61.40 or low ofRs57.15, after opening at Rs57.40.

The shares of Bayer Cropscience Ltd., closed higher at Rs1121 up Rs 69.35 or 6.59% over theprevious close. The stock touched an intra day high of Rs1173 and a low ofRs1053, after opening at Rs1064.75.

The shares of Sterlite Technologies Ltd., closed lower at Rs 94.40 down Rs 4.70 or 4.74% over theprevious close. The Stock touched an intra day low of Rs93.75, after opening atthe day's high of Rs99.

The shares of Hindustan Copper Ltd., closed lower at Rs445.95 down Rs19.05 or 4.10% over theprevious close. The stock touched an intra day high of Rs473.70 and low ofRs443, after opening at Rs469.85.

The shares of Adani Power Ltd., closed lower at Rs133.20 down Rs4.85 or 3.51% over the previousclose. The stock touched an intra day high of Rs135.30 and a low of Rs131.20,after opening at Rs133.70.