Markets end with smart gains: Sensex closes above 18K

15 February 2008

The markets closed with smart gains after some initial hiccups in the morning. Sensex closed well above 18,000 and Nifty breached 5,300. Buying was seen in pharma, metal, oil stocks. Broader markets outperfromed frontline counters today. Select technology, realty and capital good stocks were under pressure. The outperformance came in despite most of the Asian markets ending lower.

Even on weekly basis Sensex has recovered over 1600 points from the lows and Nifty has recovered 500 points.

Sensex closed up 348.62 points or 1.96% at 18115.25, and the Nifty up 100.90 points or 1.94% at 5302.90.

About 2081 shares have advanced, 876 shares declined, and 62 shares are unchanged.

The BSE Midcap Index ended at 7,592.08 up 2%.
 
The BSE Smallcap Index ended at 9,621.13 up 2.2%.

The BSE Bankex was up 2.5% at 10,884.42. Yes Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, Union Bank, Oriental Bank moved upwards.