MARKET WRAP: Sensex up 321 pts, Nifty ends near record high; metals gain

Global gains, improved December auto sales figures, and expansion in manufacturing activity last month pushed Indian equities higher on Thursday. Reliance Industries, L&T, HDFC twins, and IndusInd Bank were the major contributors towards today's gains. 

The S&P BSE Sensex ended 320.62 points, or 0.78 per cent, higher at 41,626.64 level, with UltraTech cement, Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank and L&T being the top gainers on the index. On the downside, TCS, Bajaj Auto, Infosys, and Nestle ended the day as top laggards.

On the NSE, the broader Nifty50 settled at record closing high of 12,283, surpassing its previous closing high of 12,271.80 (touched on December 20, 2019). At close, the Nifty index was up 100.45 points, or 0.82 per cent.

Besides, all major sectoral indices, barring Nifty IT index, ended the day in the positive territory. Nifty Metal and PSU bank indices were up over 2 per cent at close, while IT index declined 0.06 per cent. Nifty Bank index advanced over a per cent to end at record closing high of 32,438.25.

Meanwhile, broader markets settled with over a per cent gain each. The S&P BSE Mid-cap and Small-cap indices closed 1.18 and 1.44 per cent higher at 15,185.88 and 13,984.76 levels, respectively.

GLOBAL CUES

Asian shares kicked off 2020 on a strong note on Thursday, spurred by Chinese markets after Beijing eased monetary policy to support the slowing economy.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.43%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 1.05%.

European equities were set to follow Asia higher in their first trading session of the new decade. Pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.62% and FTSE futures were up 0.31%, though German DAX futures fell 0.18%.

(With inputs from Reuters)