Sensex gathers strength after weak opening

Mumbai, July 23: The Sensitive Index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) advanced by 61.63 points to touch 15,627.18 during intra-day, due to strengthening buying momentum at higher levels, after opening weak at 15,560.57 from it's previous close of 15,565.55 on account of bearish Asian and global indices.

Similarly, the broader National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty Index also gained 18.55 points to reach 4,584.60 from it's previous close of 4,566.05, after opening weaker at 4,564.25.

BSE data showed that the total turnover so far amounted to Rs 2,276 crore. The market breadth was positive as buying continued in small- and mid-cap stocks. About 1,355 shares advanced while 1,142 declined, and 73 remained unchanged. Among the Sensex pack, 20 advanced while the rest declined.

The intraday laggards include Cipla, Infosys Technologies, ICICI Bank and UTI Bank.

The intraday leaders are L&T, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), ONGC, Reliance Industries (RIL) and Fulford India.

Asian indices edged lower today. Japan's Nikkei, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Singapore's Straits Times edged lower. However, China's Shanghai Composite advanced.

Shares on Wall Street declined sharply last week. The Dow fell 149.33 points, or 1.07 per cent, to 13,851.08. Broader stock indicators also lost ground. The S&P 500 index fell 18.98 points, or 1.22 per cent, to 1,534.10, and ended the week 1.19 per cent lower.

The Nasdaq Composite index fell 32.44 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 2,687.60.

UNI