Sensex in positive terrain at noon

Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) The Sensex has gained 59.07 points on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) during noon today and is trading in the green at 14,195.79 points as positive sentiment prevails following the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to keep key rates unchanged at its monetary policy meeting.

Among the broader markets, the Nifty Index also gained by 16.60 points on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and is trading at 4,158.40 from its previous close of 4,141.80 points.

The Sensex recovered sharply from the day's low, as buying began in the afternoon, pulling the Sensex back into positive zone. It had opened firm at 14,141.70.

The market-breadth, which indicates the overall health of the market, was positive. There is notable buying interest for smallcap and midcap stocks. About 1,357 scrips have advanced while 1,042 have declined and a total of 104 scrips have remained unchanged, market analyst observed.

The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 3268 crore, boosted by two huge block deals of 12.50 lakh shares each, at an average Rs 1,209 per share in the early trade, in the TCS counter, analysts opined.

The stock was down 0.35 per cent to Rs 1221 on total volumes of 26.51 lakh shares. Undoubtedly, it was the top-traded counter on BSE with a turnover of Rs 320.61 crore.

Among the 30-Sensex pack, 18 advanced while the rest declined.

Pharma major Ranbaxy Laboratories was the top-gainer, up 5.23 per cent to Rs 367.40, on a volume of 6.42 lakh shares. The company today said that it had been granted a 180-day market exclusivity in the US for the 80-mg dosage of the drug 'Pravastatin sodium' tablets, which is used to treat cardiac diseases. The tablet had annual sales of USD 209 million, while the market for all dosages of the drug was USD 1.19 billion a year, Ranbaxy said in a statement.

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