The BSE benchmark Sensex today regained 19,000-level after two weeks by climbing 285.30 points on the back of robust gains in HDFC, ICICI Bank and L&T on hopes of a bigger-than-expected rate cut, amid government announcing measures to boost exports in foreign trade policy.
The 30-share Sensex resumed lower at 18,695.34 but recovered afterwards and further gained momentum in the second half of trade to settle at 19,016.46 -- a gain of 285.30 points or 1.52 per cent. This level was last seen on April 2.
Similarly, the National Stock Exchange Nifty rose by 94.40 points, or 1.66 per cent, to end at 5,783.10 led by consumer durable, capital goods and banking sector shares.
With over 1,300 stocks rising, investor wealth surged by Rs 70,000 crore as m-cap stood at Rs 65 lakh crore mark.
With a view to boost exports, the government has announced several measures in foreign trade policy including extension of the popular Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme to all sectors and sops for Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Interest-rates related stocks like HDFC, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, SBI, Tata Motors, M&M attracted good buying support on hopes of rate cut by RBI on May 3. L&T, Bharti Airtel, RIL, ITC, ONGC also were in demand.
Buying was seen across the board as 12 out 13 sectoral indices closed with gains of up to 2.78 per cent. Only BSE-IT index finished lower.
"Markets are running ahead full steam. And what is clearly supporting the rise is the expectation of rate cut, fall in prices of gold and crude oil which is expected to bring down the CAD. On the other hand, there is no news on political instability...Sentiments are extremely bullish," said Nagji K Rita, CMD, Inventure Growth and Securities.
Brent crude oil futures falling further to USD 98 level in global markets reinforced expectations that declining commodity prices will drive down inflation, traders said.
Sustained capital inflows from foreign funds also boosted sentiments amid firming global trend as Italian and Spanish bonds gained.
