Sensex inches higher…Small-caps outperform

The Indian markets ended with smart gains on Monday starting off the week on a positive note. The Auto, Metals and the Pharma stocks led the rally which lifted the NSE Nifty to end above the 6100 levels. Even the broader indices participated in the rally, infact the Mid-caps and the Small-Caps outperformed the benchmark indices. However, the IT and the FMCG stocks were under pressure.



"With quarterly results pouring in and F&O expiry week, expect more volatility in the coming days", says Amar Ambani, Head of Research (India Private Clients) - IIFL.

The BSE Sensex gained 137 points to close at 20,303. The NSE Nifty rose 40 points to close at 6,106.

Among the BSE sectoral indices, the BSE Consumer Durables index was the top gainer, the index gained 2.3% followed by BSE Auto index gained 1.2% and the Metal index was up 1%. On the other hand, BSE IT index was down 0.4% and BSE FMCG index was down 0.2%.

The broader indices outperformed the benchmark indices, the BSE Mid-Cap index ended higher by 0.8% and BSE Small-Cap index gained 1%.

Outside the two main indices, the key losers are Amara Raja, Sterlite Technologies, SKS Microfinance, Tata Elxsi, Petronet LNG, Wipro and Piramal Healthcare.

ABG Shipyard, Gitanjli Gems, Monnet Ispat, Trent, Mahindra & Mahindra Finance, Mercator Lines, IRB Infra, KS Oil, Vardhman Textiles and Alok Industries are among the notable gainers in the broader market.