Infra growth, strong earnings propel markets

The NSE Nifty today opened at 4,410 and touched a high of 4,502 and then erased some of its gains to touch a low of 4,406.

The positive triggers for the markets today were mainly - a 6.5% growth in core sector index in June as against 5.1% in the same month last year on improved production in cement, coal, crude oil and electricity. Good numbers from Maruti, ITC and ACC also boosted the sentiment.

The Nifty finally ended at 4,524, up 125 points from the previous close.

INDEX MOVERS...

DLF zoomed 8% to Rs 373. Reliance Infrastructure, Maruti and Suzlon advanced around 7% to Rs 1,167, Rs 1,299 and Rs 97, respectively.

Hindalco added 6.5% to Rs 91. Reliance Communication, ACC, Jindal Steel, Reliance Power and Unitech increased around 6% each.

ITC, Mahindra & Mahindra, Sterlite, GAIL, Cipla and Grasim were up 4.5-5.5% each.

...AND THE SHAKER

On the other hand, Bharti Airtel was down 1% at Rs 813.

Meanwhile the BSE Sensex ended 388 points higher at 15,231. The Sensex touched a low of 14,998 and a high of 15,265.

All the sectoral indices ended in the positive with realty index leading the rally,up 5%. It was followed by Consumer Durables (4.47%), Metal (4.32%), FMCG (3.95%) and Auto (3.97%) indices.

The market breadth was fairly positive, out of 2,718 shares traded, 1,804 shares advanced and 833 declined today.

VOLUME & VALUE TOPPERS ON THE BSE, NSE

ICICI Bank topped the combined value chart with a turnover of Rs 1,056 crore. It was followed by Reliance (Rs 1,039 crore), Bharti Airtel (Rs 813.49 crore), Tata Steel (Rs 683 crore) and Aban Offshore (Rs 660 crore).

Mahindra Satyam topped the volume chart with trades of 169 million shares. It was followed by IFCI (79.39 million), Suzlon (62.45 million), Unitech (61.8 million) and Ispat (60.86 million) shares.