With the lack of positive cues from the European markets,the Sensex continues its range movement movement for the second consecutive hour. FTSE and DAX opened 0.3% down and CAC started 0.3% down. The Sensex is at 18,718 up 52 points and the Nifty has added six points at 5,615. Paring most of its gains, the smallcap and the midcap index is at 0.4% and 0.5% respectively.
Among the sectoral indices on the BSE, Bankex continues to lead at 1.4% followed by PSU,Capital Goods,Power and IT. Initial gainers Consumer Durables and Auto has slipped into the red.Oil & Gas, FMCG and Metal continue to languish at the bottom of the charts.The gainers in the PSU space are J&K Bank up 5%, Bank of India and BEML gaining 3% each and Oriental Bank,Canara Bank,Corporation Bank adding 2.6%
SBI and HDFC Bank up 2% are the top gainers on the Sensex followed by Mahindra & Mahindra, BHEL,Hindustan Unilever, NTPC and ICICI Bank adding 1% each.
Cipla and Tata Motors down 2% are the top losers on the Sensex.Sterlite, ACC and ITC shedding 1% each follows.
Market breadth continues to be marginally positive. 1618 stocks have advanced while 1238 have declined.