The BSE benchmark Sensex today closed 15 points higher as investors picked up bluechip stocks led by software companies amid fall in some mid-cap stocks.
The Sensex rose by 14.68 points, or 0.08 per cent, to close at 19,331.69, mainly supported by Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services.
Throughout the session, the gauge had shuttled between 19,411.18 and 19,237.98. The index had lost over 325 points in last two sessions.
Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index rose by 4.45 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 5,854.75.
Brokers said while market participants adopted a cautious approach before the railway and general budgets this week, some investors bought software and stocks on hopes of some sop to the sector.
They said a better trend in Asia and higher opening in Europe on speculation Japan may appoint a central bank chief who favours stimulus, further influenced the market sentiment.
The market heavy and sector majors Infosys spurted by 2.84 per cent to Rs 2,917.20 and Tata Consultancy Services by 1.16 per cent to Rs 1,471.30. The third software major Wipro rose by 0.89 per cent to Rs 419.25.
The market partially remained under pressure as the trend setter Reliance Industries lost 1.01 per cent to Rs 853.95 and some banking stocks ended lower on fears the new entries in the sector would hamper their revenues.
The Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines allowing any business sector to apply for banking licences.
The IT sector gained the most by 1.86 per cent to 6,727.82 followed by Teck index by 1.28 per cent to 3,871.90. Auto sector index rose by 0.78 per cent to 10,784.87.
Among mid-cap stocks, Core Projects led the decline by falling 62.42 per cent to close at Rs 110.95 followed by 10-20 per cent decline in stocks of Opto Circuits, ABG Shipyard, Welspun Corp and Gemini Comm.
In 30-BSE index components, 15 stocks advanced and 14 closed with losses, while ITC Ltd remained unchanged.
