Mumbai, May 28 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities advanced for the third straight day Friday, gaining 196 points, as
global markets climbed after China said it had no plans to sell its European bonds.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,692.66 points, closed at 16,863.06 points, 196.66 points or 1.18 percent up from its previous close at 16,666.4 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 5,066.55 points, up 1.27 percent from its previous close at 5,003.1 points.
Broader markets too saw good buying, with the BSE midcap index ending 1.65 percent up and the BSE smallcap index closing 1.39 percent higher.
All BSE sectoral indices ended in the green, with realty, metals, FMCG and auto scrips gaining the most.
The market breadth was positive with as many as 1,923 stocks advancing, while 892 scrip declined and 114 remained unchanged.
Among the gainers on the 30-scrip, Sensex were Reliance Communications, up 5.93 percent at Rs.147.95; Sterlite Industries, up 5.75 percent at Rs.681.90; Jindal Steel, up 4.85 percent at Rs.653.65; and DLF, up 3.53 percent at Rs.280.10.
Prominent losers included Maruti Suzuki, down 0.78 percent at Rs.1,223.10; HDFC Bank, down 0.35 percent at Rs.1,888.30; L&T, down 0.2 percent at Rs.1,626.10; and Reliance Infra, down 0.03 percent at Rs.1,056.25.
In Asia, investors got some relief after China allayed fears that it was mulling over withdrawing investments in Europe, saying that Europe remained a key investment destination for the country.
The Japanese Nikkei closed 1.28 higher at 9,762.98 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 1.73 percent at 19,766.71 points.
The Shanghai Composite Index, however, closed flat at 2,655.77 points, down 0.01 percent.
European markets started off well, but buying interest eased as trading progressed.
Britain’s key index the FTSE 100 was ruling 0.69 percent higher at 5,231.02 points.
Its French peer the CAC 40 slipped from its opening highs and was ruling at 3,533.07 points, up 0.22 percent, while the German DAX was trading 0.44 percent higher at 5,962.55 points.
