The trading sentiment on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) remained firm and the NSE-50 index closed 1155.30 points, a gain of 1.60 points over the previous close of 1153.70 points.
The shares prices moved in a narrow range and most of the pivotals gained marginally over their previous close. The total traded turnover on the exchange touched Rs 1,499.86 crore with nearly 5.98 crore shares being traded. According to sources, the market is very firm and the sentiment is expected to improve further in the days to come. The market was expected to witness a fall on the last day of settlement.
Market sources informed that there was a lack of support from the FIIs but some of the domestic institutions sold heavily. The Midcap index closed at 1175.45 points against the previous close of 1185.00 points, a loss of 10.05 points. The scrips which gained include, M&M, which closed at Rs 443.80 against the previous close of Rs 415.80, Asian Paint at Rs 331.15(Rs 311.85), HDFC at Rs 3806.05 (Rs 3624.80), ACC at Rs 1281.60 (Rs 1224.30) and Glaxo at Rs 356.25 (Rs 342.10).
The RIL counter closed at Rs 368.85 against the previous close of Rs 365.05 and the trading turnover touched Rs 401.72 crore. Among the top five losers were, Oriental Bank of Commerce at Rs 69.50, ABB at Rs 628.85 (Rs 639.00), Arvind Mills at Rs 130.65 (Rs 132.55), Colgate at Rs 285.60 (Rs 289.60) and Tisco at Rs 188.70 (Rs 191.35).
Hectic activity was witnessed in the ONGC counter with the total traded turnover touching Rs 4.51 crore. The scrip closed at Rs 361.70 against the previous close of Rs 343.20. According to sources, the market opened on a firmer note but towards the end the punters pulled it down. The last half an hour saw the market in a very volatile state and the some of the pivotals fluctuated widely.
