NSE REPORT
The trading sentiment on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) remained sluggish yesterday mainly on account of lack of buying support by domestic institutions. The NSE-50 index closed at 1,158.25, registering a nominal gain of 9 points over the previous close of 1,149.25. The Midcap index closed at 1,299 over the previous close of 1,279.90, a gain of 19.10 points.
According to market sources, the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have made a come back, though they made purchases at select counters. Being the first day of the current settlement on the BSE, the market firmed up initially. The market is likely to move up today mainly on short covering, informed an NSE dealer.
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The Nifty opened at 1,148.70, touched a high of 1,160.85, dipped to a low of 1,136.85 before closing at 1,158.25 points. The software scrips hogged the limelight with nearly all scrips hitting the upper limit of the circuit filter.
The total trading turnover at the exchange touched Rs 1,386.15 crore with over 4.80 crore shares changing hands. The BHEL scrip firmed up on account of FII buying, closing at Rs 399.60 against the previous close of Rs 380.80, a gain of nearly 5 per cent. Among other major gainers were Essar Steel which at Rs 27.05 (Rs 26.00), GE Shipping at Rs 50.95 (Rs 49.00), Gujarat Ambuja at Rs 344.35 (Rs 331.70) and Ponds at Rs 1,851.25 (Rs 1,790.45). The auto scrips continued their downtrend with the Ashok Leyland leading the pack. The Ashok Leyland scrip closed at Rs 67.95 (Rs 69.15). The other major gainers were, TVS Suzuki at Rs 448.60 (Rs 452.50), ITC at Rs 541.95 (Rs 544.60), Reliance Petro Rs 20.35 (Rs 20.45) and L &T at Rs 234.85 (Rs 235.85).
The ITC scrip topped the list of securities which recorded maximum turnover. The total traded turnover at this counter touched Rs 396.03 crore.