Benchmarks rise 1% to close over 2-week high, Sensex jumps 433 pts

Rupee falls 4 paisa to close at 78.37 against US dollar

MUMBAI: Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty rally nearly 1 per cent to close at over two-week high levels on Monday, posting gains for a third straight day as global equities advanced on easing inflation concerns.

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 433.30 points or 0.82 per cent to settle at 53,161.28, a level not seen since June 10. During the day, the barometer rallied 781.52 points or 1.48 per cent to 53,509.50.

The NSE Nifty also gained 132.80 points or 0.85 per cent to close above the 15,800 level at 15,832.05, the highest closing level since June 10.

In the three-day winning run, Sensex jumped by 2.56 per cent or 1,378 points while Nifty rallied 2.73 per cent or 418 points to more than twoweek high.

Larsen & Toubro was the biggest gainer among Sensex shares, rising by 2.69 per cent. Tech Mahindra spurted 2.67 per cent, HCL Tech by 2.61 per cent, IndusInd Bank by 2.27 per cent and Infosys by 2.25 per cent.

Asian Paints jumped 2.19 per cent, Bharti Airtel by 2 per cent , Tata Steel by 1.75 per cent, UltraTech Cement by 1.74 per cent, SBI by 1.51 per cent, ITC by 1.5 per cent and Sun Pharma by 1.44 per cent.

On the other hand, Reliance Industries, Kotak Bank and Titan declined.

In the three-day winning run, Sensex jumped by 2.56 per cent or 1,378 points while Nifty rallied 2.73 per cent or 418 points to more than two-week high

In the broader market, the BSE smallcap gauge jumped 1.57 per cent and midcap index gained 0.87 per cent.

All the BSE sectoral indices ended in the green, with capital goods jumping 2.26 per cent, IT (2.02 per cent), teck (1.84 per cent), metal (1.81 per cent), basic materials (1.65 per cent), industrials (1.55 per cent), utilities (1.46 per cent) and power (1.44 per cent).

Analysts said global cues would continue to dictate the market trend. Besides, domestic factors like the upcoming GST council meet will also be in focus.

Elsewhere in Asia, markets in Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and

Hong Kong ended in the green following sharp gains in the US markets on Friday.

European markets were also trading in the green in mid-session deals.

Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.13 per cent to $112.93 per barrel.

The rupee slipped 4 paisa to close at its fresh life-time low of 78.37 against US dollar on Monday despite a rally in the domestic equity markets.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the capital market, as they sold shares worth Rs 2,353.77 crore on Friday, as per exchange data.