The trading sentiment on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday remained dull and the index closed at 1,190.30 over the previous close of 1181.65 points, a gain of 8.65 points. The index went up despite the fact that yesterday was the last day of the current settlement.
The Nifty opened at 1,182.60, touched a high of 1,190.55 and a low of 1,180.10, before closing at 1,190.30. The Midcap index closed lower at 1,295.60, a loss of 1.75 points over the previous close of 1,295.60 points. The total traded turnover touched Rs 1,619.29 crore with over 6.89 crore shares changing hands.
Markets sources said the dull trading was due to absence of foreign institutional investors (FIIs). The FIIs only made purchases in select counters and the order was limited to few hundred shares, said a NSE dealer. Market sources anticipate the market to move in a narrow range in the next few trading sessions. Today the market is likely to open higher level as it is the first day of the new settlement, said another NSE dealer.
The ITC scrip gained marginally at Rs 484.25 (Rs 477.75), a gain of 1.3 per cent. The total turnover at this counter touched Rs 397.34 crore. Among the top five gainers were ICICI at Rs 94.60 (Rs 88.40), Essar Steel at Rs 25.05 (Rs 23.60), IFCI at Rs 38.30 (Rs 36.85), Bajaj Auto at Rs 914.95 (Rs 871.40), Colgate at Rs 322.30 (Rs 306.95).
Among the top five losers were, ABB at Rs 585.25 (Rs 603.50), Cochin Refineries at Rs 140.10 (Rs 143.95), Asian Paints at Rs 336 (Rs 343.95), EIH at Rs 408.00 (Rs 416.55), and HDFC at Rs 3751.05 (Rs 3926.55).
Meanwhile, on the Otcei the composite index closed at 115.32, gaining 0.99 points. The total turnover was Rs 36.91 lakh involving 50,405 shares and debentures.
Major contribution was from listed debentures of Rs 34.28 lakh from 34,510 debentures. Among other segments, listed equity contributed Rs 1.87 lakh from 15,820 shares and permitted debentures Rs 75,000 from 75 units. In listed equity, active trading was witnessed in Bio-chem Synergy where 6,900 shares were traded.
