Sensex closes 154 pts higher led by oil & gas, banks, FMCG
19 Jun 2012
The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty closed higher amid rangebound trade on Tuesday, led by short covering and somewhat build up in long positions for ITC and Reliance Industries.
The market rebounded quite nicely after a day of 244 points cut on the Sensex due to RBI's rate status quo. The NSE benchmark ended above the 5100 level at 5,103.85, a gain of 39.60 points over previous close. Meanwhile the BSE benchmark climbed 154 points to 16,859.80.
Oil & gas stocks led the rally. India's most valued stock Reliance Industries surged 2.6% and state-owned oil & gas producer ONGC was up 1.7%.
Gas transportations services provider GAIL rose 2.66% while even oil marketing companies like HPCL and IOC gained 6% and 3.5%, respectively. BPCL moved up nearly 2%.
Shares of cigarettes to FMCG and hotels major ITC jumped 2.5% after reports that the company increased prices of select Sunfeast biscuits by 10%.
Banking stocks saw somewhat short covering after a day of sharp fall. Yesterday, banks stocks had tumbled as the RBI surprised the street by keeping policy rates and CRR unchanged. Country's largest lenders State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank gained 0.6-1.2%.