Nifty closes choppy session higher; HUL plunges 4.5 per cent

11 Mar 2010

Texmo Pipes, which listed yesterday, witnessed further buying interest; closed at Rs 146.95, up 7.07% over its previous closing price of Rs 137.25.

Technology and pharma stocks saw buying since opening for trade. TCS and Wipro from the technology pack gained 1.5-1.9%. Infosys was up 0.9% and HCL Tech up 0.66%.

Sun Pharma from the healthcare segment rallied 3%. Ranbaxy went up 1.1% and Cipla up 0.66%.

Banking stocks also strengthened in second half of trade. ICICI Bank, SBI, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank rose 0.55-1.75% while PNB, HDFC and IDFC lost 0.2-0.88%.

Reliance Industries was the leader in today's trade as well, went up 0.76%. Among other oil & gas stocks, GAIL rose 2.4% and Cairn India was up 1% while ONGC lost 0.44% and BPCL slipped 1.3%.

Bharti Airtel helped the Nifty quite a bit to remain firm, gained 2%. In the telecom pack, however, Reliance Communications and Idea Cellular fell 1.5% each.