Nifty regains 5,700; Broader markets outperform

Broader markets gains nearly 0.5-1%, out-performing benchmark indices

Market opened on positive note with 50-share Nifty index trading above key resistance level of 5,700 on back of significant buying in real-estate and capital goods’ sectors.

At 10AM, the Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share index Sensex gained 118 points at 18,954.81 while the National Stock Exchange's 50-share Nifty rose 33 points at 5,717.

Global risk appetite remained firm after China's factory production expanded at its fastest pace in 11 months in March, while Japanese manufacturers gained the most since the recovery from the 2011 earthquake, fuelling hopes of growth recovery in Asia.

Asian shares were mixed with Japan's Nikkei down 1% to 12,288 while Strait Times gained 0.14% to 3,312 today.

Back home, the key sectoral gainers were real-estate, capital goods, oil & gas, healthcare, IT while metal, auto and FMCG sectors dropped on BSE.

The gainers on the Sensex were BHEL up 3%, Reliance Industries gained 2%, Dr Reddy’s and Cipla rose 2% and 1% respectively, L&T up 1% while laggards included counters such as Sterlite Industries dropping 3.6%, Tata Motors fell 2%, TCS was down 0.5% on BSE.

Following are the notable stock movers on Sensex:

Polaris Financial Technology surged 4% at Rs 116 amid reports that the Chennai-based IT software products company is looking for a stake sale in its services business.   

Sterlite Industries dropped 3% on reports that a copper smelter run by the company in Tamil Nadu has been closed post a preliminary inspection by state pollution regulator.

TRF jumped over 11% to Rs 159 in early morning deals on NSE after the company received Rs 360 crore orders from Nabinagar Power Generating Company Private Limited, a joint venture Company of NTPC and Bihar State Power (Holding) Company.

The broader markets were up with mid-caps and small-caps gaining 0.6-1% on BSE.

The market breadth was strong. Out of 1,106 stocks traded, 716 stocks gained compared to 343 declined advances on BSE.