Sensex Regains Peak 20,000 After 2 Years

After breaching the 20,000-mark twice during trading, the BSE benchmark Sensex finally closed at a tad lower at 19,986.82 on 15 January amid sustained fund-based buying following government measures to bolster economic growth and steady inflow of robust quarterly earnings.

After crossing 20,000 points level in early trade and again for a second time in the last hour of market, Sensex closed with a gain 80.41 points, or 0.40 per cent, at 19,986.82. This is the first time since January 6, 2011 that the index crossed the 20,000-mark.

ITC, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, Tata Motors and ONGC helped the market rise. However, Infosys, CIL, SBI and M&M were among Sensex losers. Traders booked profits in some counters that recently notched up good gains, experts said.

Brokers said the market remained in a bullish mood following GAAR postponement, amid hopes of rate cut after inflation declined to 3-year low of 7.18 per cent on 14 January.

The sentiment improved further on steady good set of numbers from IT giant Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Tech and Axis Bank, they added.

The NSE Nifty closed with a gain of 32.55 points, or 0.54 per cent, at 6,056.60, after touching day's high of 6,068.50.

"It was another strong day for the markets with the Sensex crossing the 20000 mark during the day. Strong results from early declarants have buoyed the sentiments of market.

 

Markets are also expecting interest rates to moderate after WPI. Deferral of GAAR to April 2016 also helped," said Dipen Shah, Head of PCG Research, Kotak Securities.

Cigarette maker ITC rose 2.2 per cent, after already gaining 1.7 per cent on Monday as investors bet October-December earnings due would show continued growth.

ITC has posted double-digit net profit growth in the previous two quarters of the fiscal year that started in April 2012.

Shares in Axis Bank gained 2.8 per cent after the private bank reported a better-than-expected 22 per cent rise in net profit in the December quarter, while non-performing assets fell to 0.33 per cent versus 0.39 per cent year ago.

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, India's largest software services exporter, ended up 0.2 per cent after gaining as much as 4.9 per cent at one point, a day after posting better-than-expected earnings.

Among telecoms operators, Bharti Airtel Ltd shares rose 5 per cent to their highest since March 2012, while Idea Cellular Ltd surged 8.4 per cent to its highest close since February 2008 on speculation the mobile carriers may soon raise voice call tariffs, several traders said.

Both companies declined to comment on the market rumours.

India's mobile phone market -- the world's second-biggest by customers -- has not seen any meaningful increase in call prices in the last three years after a vicious price war sent call charges tumbling.

Shares in SpiceJet Ltd gained 4.09 per cent after the Times of India newspaper reported the budget carrier was close to selling a stake to a foreign carrier, citing unidentified sources.

Maruti Suzuki Ltd, India's largest car maker, gained 0.45 per cent, after the company said it will raise vehicle prices by up to Rs 20,000.

Among stocks that fell, IT outsourcer Infosys ended 0.7 percent lower, hit by profit-taking after surging 20.85 percent in the previous two sessions on the back of better-than-expected earnings on Friday.

Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd shares dropped 5 per cent, falling for a second day on fears of equity dilution after its board approved raising up to Rs 3,500 crore and also reported a loss of Rs 9.76 crore for the December quarter.

(Agencies)