Though 2006 was a year of historic highs for the stock market, the average investor is unlikely to have a great party this year end.As the year 2006 comes to an end, it is time to check how the stock market has performed, and what sectors and companies have rewarded investors. At first blush, the numbers are impressive.The 30-share large-cap Sensex has gained 43 per cent from the beginning of the year till December 22. These numbers compare favourably to the Sensex gains of 42 per cent in 2005, 13 per cent in 2004 and 73 per cent in 2003.However as the index becomes more broad-based, the returns keep tapering off. For example, the returns of the 50-stock Nifty stood at a lower 36.5 per cent. Similarly is the case with BSE 100 and BSE 500. More...
