Sensex ends off highs; RelInf, Hindalco gain

Mumbai, Jan 2: Benchmarks ended volatile session in the positive territory but off day"s high as traders booked profits at higher levels. Realty and banks continued to rally on expectations of a stimulus package likely to be announced later on Friday Jan. 2

Bombay Stock Exchange"s Sensex closed at 9970.17, up 66.71 points or 0.67 per cent higher. The index touched an intra-day high of 10,070.28 and a low of 9863.86. National Stock Exchange"s Nifty ended at 3051.10, up 17.65 points or 0.58 per cent. The broader index hit an intra-day high of 3079.85 and a low of 3021.80.

BSE Midcap Index was up 2.32 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index gained 1.65 per cent. Biggest Sensex gainers were Reliance Infrastructure (4.18 per cent), Hindalco Industries (3.6 per cent), HDFC (3.5 per cent), DLF (3.17 per cent) and Tata Motors (3.1per cent).
Satyam Computer (-2.88 per cent), Wipro (-2.24 per cent), Bharti Airtel (-1.89 per cent), Infosys Technologies (-1.7 per cent) and Tata Power (-1.68 per cent) were the losers.
Market breadth on BSE showed 1697 advances against 824 declines.
4.17 PM

Sensex crosses 10k mark; realty, banks rally

The market remained firm in afternoon trade backed by gains in consumer durables, realty and banking counters ahead of the fiscal stimulus package on Friday, Jan 2.

At 2:40 pm, Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex surpassed the 10,000 mark and was trading at 10,014.91, up 111.45 points or 0.13 per cent. The index touched a high of 10,070.28 from a low of 9,863.86 in trade so far.

National Stock Exchange's Nifty climbed 0.92 per cent or 28.05 points to 3061.50 after touching a high of 3079.85 till now. Investors flocked for stocks in the midcap and smallcap space, driving the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices up 2.14 per cent and 2.12 per cent respectively.
3.20 PM

Sensex pares gain; Satyam, Bharti down

Intra-day rally in benchmarks was short lived as traders booked profits at higher levels. Meanwhile, buying activity continued in midcap. Market Realty and banking stocks were up on expectations of a stimulus package and hopes of interest rate cuts.

At 11:45 am, Bombay Stock Exchange"s Sensex was at 9918.46, up 15 points or 0.15 per cent. The index touched a high of 9999.67 and a low of 9863.86. National Stock Exchange"s Nifty was at 3030.30 down 3.15 points or 0.10 per cent. The broader index hit a high of 3062.25 and a low of 3021.80 in trade so far. BSE Midcap Index was up 1.54 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index moved 1.48 per cent higher.

Tata Motors (5 per cent), Hindalco Industries (2.77 per cent), ICICI Bank (1.71 per cent), DLF (1.59 per cent) and Reliance Communications (1.55 per cent) were the major Sensex gainers.
Sensex losers included Satyam Computers (-3.18 per cent), Bharti Airtel (-2.75 per cent), ACC (-2.22 per cent), Wipro (-2.12 per cent) and Maruti Suzuki (-1.59 per cent).
12.45 PM

Markets choppy: Nifty tests 3150

The benchmark indices have jumped further and is continuing Thursday's rally. But there is some volatility. Banking, metal, power, realty, capital goods, and select oil stocks are on buyers' radar.

At 9:56 am, the Nifty went up 18.35 points to 3,051 and the Sensex rose 67 points to 9,970. CNX Midcap 100 gained 1.16% at 3,858. About 456 shares have advanced while 63 shares declined on the NSE.

Bharti Airtel, Unitech, Suzlon, Satyam, Tata Motors, Hindalco, DLF, SAIL, Sterlite Industries, Tata Steel, HCL Tech, ICICI Bank and Reliance Infrastructure are gainers in early trade.However, HUL, ONGC, Maruti, Power Grid, Satyam and Ranbaxy Labs are bit soft on Friday, Jan 2.
10.32 AM