Most Asian indices finished with gains in 0.06-3.77 per

cent range while in Europe, Germany and London indices moved up by 0.10-0.49 per cent, while France (CAC) was down by 0.06 per cent. Turning to the local market, 18 scrips out of the 30-share Sensex declined while 12 finished with gains. Major losers from the Sensex were NTPC (2.12 pc), Coal India (2.03 pc), BHEL (1.72 pc), HUL (1.60 pc), L&T (1.23 pc), ICICI Bank (1.08 pc) and ONGC (0.98 pc). However, Jindal Steel rose by 2.69 per cent, followed by Maruti Suzuki (1.61 pc), HDFC (1.25 pc), TCS (0.82 pc), Hindalco Ind (0.79 pc), ITC (0.78 pc) and Tata Steel (0.63 pc). Among the sectoral indices, the BSE-CG fell by 0.93 per cent, BSE-PSU 0.57 per cent, BSE-Power 0.49 per cent and BSE-Bankex 0.34 per cent. In gainers, BSE-Realty moved up by 0.78 per cent, BSE-IT 0.62 per cent and BSE-Teck 0.60 per cent. The market breadth turned positive as 1,165 stocks firmed up, 1,017 stocks ended with losses while 804 stocks closed unchanged. The total turnover dropped to Rs 2,097.69 crore from Rs 2,452.60 crore yesterday. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 489.27 crore yesterday as per provisional data from the stock exchanges.