Sensex closes 146 points up; consumer durables stocks gain (Roundup)

A benchmark index for Indian equities, the sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange, closed 146.15 points or 0.55 percent up on Wednesday ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting outcome scheduled later in the day.

The wider Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also closed 44.25 points or 0.55 percent higher.

The 30-share Sensex, which opened at 26,815.41 points, closed at 26,832.66 points -- up 146.15 points or 0.55 percent over the previous day's close at 26,686.51 points. It touched a high of 26,983.48 points and a low of 26,728.89 points in the day's trade.

In Wednesday's trade, good buying was observed in consumer durables, healthcare, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and capital goods and selling pressure was seen in power and banking sectors.

Foreign funds remained net sellers to the tune of $76.67 million during the "ay.

"Key benchmark indices gained for the fourth straight session led by index heavyweight Reliance Industries while FMCG shares gained after concerns over monsoo" eased," brokerage firm Sharekhan said.

Among the 12 sector-specific indices of the Mumbai bourse, consumer durables index surged by 2.26 percent, healthcare index moved up by 1.62 percent, FMCG index increased by 1.46 percent and capital goods index went up by 1.11 percent.

However, power index dropped by 0.45 percent and bankex went down by 0.15 percent.

The 100-scrip and 200-scrip indices were at 0.62 percent and 0.74 percent respectively. Mid-cap index was up by around 1.44 percent and small-cap index by 1.33 percent.

The major Sensex gainers on Wednesday were: Cipla, up 3.85 percent at Rs.612.95; Tata Steel, up 3.62 percent at Rs.305.10; Hindustan Unilever, up 3.15 percent at Rs.860.80; and Reliance Industries, up 3 percent at Rs.931.10.

The losers were: Vedanta Ltd, down 3.14 percent at Rs.173; Bharat Heavy Electricals, down 1.91 percent at Rs.241.20; and Tata Power, down 1.49 percent at Rs.72.85.

Among the Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was down by 0.19 percent, while China's Shanghai Composite Index moved up by 1.66 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up by 0.70 percent.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 was down by 0.59 percent, France's CAC 40 went down by 1.13 percent and Germany's DAX Index was down by 0.70 percent at the closing in the Indian markets.