Bank recapitalisation: Sensex marks first gain of 2018, rebounds 176 points

The benchmark Sensex reversed a three-session slide to close at 33,970 on Thursday after the government moved forward on its bank recapitalisation programme. Investors also took heart from upbeat macro indicators and firm global cues, brokers said. The Sensex opened higher at 33,912.49 and hovered in a range of 33,995.40 to 33,802.13 before finishing at 33,969.64, showing a gain of 176.26 points or 0.52 per cent. The gauge had lost 263.45 points in the previous three sessions. The NSE 50-share Nifty also closed higher by 61.60 points, or 0.59 per cent, at 10,504.80 after shuttling between 10,513 and 10,441.45.