Sensex momentum continues, heavyweights soar

Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities continued with its bull run Monday, finding key support from heavyweight stocks like Reliance Industries, ITC and Bharti Airtel.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,445.2 points, was at 19,771.32 points, 176.57 points or 0.9 percent up from its previous close at 19,594.75 points.

The Sensex rose to an intra-day high of 19,795.84 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was up 0.85 percent at 5,934.9 points.

Broader markets indices were, however, ruling quiet. The BSE midcap 0.72 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.98 percent higher.

The market breadth was positive with 1,856 scrips advancing, compared to 1,035 stocks declining and 95 remaining unchanged.

FMCG, realty, telecom and consumer durable stocks were among the major gainers, while banking stocks saw some dullness.

Other Asian markets were ruling dull in what was the start of a week, which will be punctuated by holidays. The markets were also tracking US bourses, which gave up gains Friday.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was ruling 0.14 percent up at 22,001.95 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index was trading 0.18 percent lower at 2,594.07 points.

The Japanese markets were closed Monday.