Sensex up 72 pts in volatile trade; RIL led the rally

Small-cap shares outperformed the Sensex, while some of the Mid-cap stocks lost out after two days of decent gains.

On the global front, Asian markets ended narrowly mixedon concerns over the possibility of hike in interest rate byChina. Key indices in China, Japan and Taiwan ended in thegreen, while those of Hong Kong, Singapore and South Koreafinished in the red.

However, European stocks exhibited a firm trend in theirafternoon deals. The CAC was up by 0.41 per cent, the DAX by0.19 per cent and the FTSE by 0.08 per cent.

Overall, 16 out of 30 index based counters ended withgains against 14 that settled with losses.

Reliance Comm was the top gainer from the Sensex packwith a surge of 4.16 per cent followed by Tata Motor (2.41pc), Bajaj Auto (2.16 pc), Tata Power (2.14 pc), ICICI Bank(2.02 pc), NTPC (1.54 pc), SBI (1.38 pc), Maruti Suzuki (1.34pc), ONGC (1.13 pc) and REL Infra (1.12 pc).

However, Jaipra Asso declined by 3.04 per cent, Hindalcoby 2.96 pc, DLF by 2.80 pc, BHEL by 2.45 pc, L&T by 2.16 pc,M&M by 1.81 pc, TCS by 1.50 pc and Cipla by 1.02 pc.

Among the sectoral indices, BSE-Oil&Gas rose 1.85 percent, Bankex by 1.53 pc and BSE-PSU by 1.10 pc, while BSE-CGdropped by 1.75 per cent and BSE-Realty by 1.33 per cent.

The total market breadth remained positive as 1,551counters ended with gains, while 1,276 closed with losses onthe BSE. The total turnover rose to Rs 3,791.96 crore fromRs 3,466.36 crore yesterday.