RIL, Bharti Airtel push Sensex higher

After trading flat for most of the afternoon, the Sensex has gained momentum due to the gains in Auto and Health Care segments. The BSE benchmark index is up 66 points at 18,788 and the Nifty added 19 points at 5,653. Index heavyweight, Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel contributed 46 points in the up move.

The broader markets up 0.5% are almost in line with the Sensex.

Among the sectoral indices, Auto index has gained 1% followed by Health Care, Teck and Capital goods indices adding 0.8% each. However, FMCG index down 1% continues to be the top loser along with IT index.  The movers in the auto space are Mahindra & Mahindra up 3% followed by Ashok Leyland and Bharat Forge gaining 2% each.

The top gainers among the Sensex stocks are Reliance Communications up 8.5% followed by Bharti Airtel, Mahindra & Mahindra and Sterlite Industries adding between 2-4%.

ITC and Cipla down 1% each continue to be the top losers in the afternoon trades. HDFC, Hindustan Unilever and Infosys losing 0.4-0.8% are the other notable losers.

Market breadth continues to be positive. Of the total 2882 stocks traded on the BSE, 1561 stocks have advanced while 1204 have declined.