| Trading in positive territory for the entire session, the Sensex touched a low of 5,725.44 and a high of 5,814.26 in intra-day trades today. |
| The National Stock Exchange index was up by 2.01 per cent (37 points) to close at 1,874.05 points. |
| Strong across-the-board buying was witnessed, specially in blue-chip counters by funds, according to market sources. |
| Sectors such as cement, steel, automobile and banking saw hectic buying activity on the back of hopes that the companies will announce strong quarterly results. The breadth of the market reflected the positive mood with advances at 1,081 outnumbering declines at 454. |
| The mood in the market appeared extremely bullish amid hope that inflows by foreign funds will continue to remain strong in the new year on the back of good corporate performances. |
| Heavyweights State Bank of India was up 2.81 per cent at Rs 537.15, ITC was up 1.81 per cent at Rs 993.15, Hindustan Lever was up 1.60 per cent at Rs 205.85 and Reliance Industries was up 1.25 per cent at Rs 536.75, contributing significantly to the gains of the Sensex. ICICI Bank was up 5.74 per cent at Rs 301.90 and HDFC Bank was up 4.06 per cent at Rs 372.85. |
| Technology stocks were in the limelight, seeing renewed buying interest ahead of the results season. Tech pivotal Satyam Computer was up 3.45 per cent at Rs 370.60, Wipro was up 2.33 per cent at Rs 1,753.50 and tech bellwether Infosys Tech was up 1.82 per cent at Rs 5,489.10. |
| Pharma pivotals Dr Reddy's Labs was up 2.47 per cent at Rs 1,458.20 and Ranbaxy Labs was up 0.73 per cent at Rs 1,106.80. Recent Debutante Indraprastha Gas was up 19.55 per cent at Rs 142.50. |
| Marketmen say that hopes are high that the stalled disinvestment programme may be revived with the government expediting the process of sale of stake in ONGC and GAIL. |
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