Sensex Gains 76.54 Points

The benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange sensitive index (Sensex) clocked a 76.54 points rise to close at 3,452.75 today -- the highest rise since the rolling settlement was introduced on July 2. Stellar quarterly performances by leading technology companies pushed the stock markets northwards for the third successive day. In the last three trading session the Sensex has gained 161.94 points.

The BSE and NSE logged their highest volumes today after the introduction of rolling settlement. The combined volumes of both the exchanges rose by 38.86 per cent to Rs 2,733 crore. The BSE volumes rose to Rs 1096 crore while NSE volumes rose to Rs 1641 crore -- a record in the rolling regime. Of the 1,292 shares traded on BSE, advances outnumbered declines with 629 gainers and 532 losers.

"The stocks market remained firm on today on continued buying interest in technology stocks like Infosys Technologies, Satyam Computer and Hughes Software on impressive quartely results," a broker said.

Infotech heavyweight Infosys Technologies advanced from an intra-day low of Rs 3,762 to Rs 3,948 before settling at Rs 3,920.70, up 4.07 per cent from its previous close. The stock has gained 12.50 per cent in the last two sessions. Satyam Computer (up 10.23 per cent to Rs 189.70) rose further on sustained institutional buying. While NIIT moved up from a low of Rs 317 to Rs 327.40 before settling at Rs 323.15, up 3.41 per cent over its previous close.

One of the biggest gainer of the day was Zee Telefilm (up 11.35 per cent to Rs 108.40) as buying support continued on the counter. The promoters of Zee Telefilms, which belongs to the Essel group, announced that they have placed 50 lakh of Zee Telefilms shares with an US-based investor. The deal, believed to be brokered by UBS Securities in early trades, was executed near the day's low of Rs 97.50. Zee topped volumes on BSE with over 94.67 lakh shares being traded

Among the old economy stocks, Hindustan Lever gaine 4.99 per cent to Rs 214.80. While Reliance Industries (up 0.84 per cent to Rs 340.95) and Reliance Petroleum (up 0.11 per cent to Rs 46.95) recorded modest gains. On the other hand, Ranbaxy Laboratories (down 0.52 per cent to Rs 532.10) slipped on reports that the company's royalty payments from Bayer AG