SENSEX RISES 99 PTS

RUPEE SETTLES ON A flat NOTE AT 75.19 AGAINST US DOLLAR

MUMBAI: Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty came off the day’s highs but managed to end the session tad higher on Monday, with gains in Reliance Industries negating losses in financials, especially HDFC twins.

The BSE gauge Sensex settled 99.36 points, or 0.27 per cent, higher at 36,693.69 — giving up about gains of 330 points from its intra-day peak. Similarly, the NSE Nifty closed 34.65 points, or 1.15 per cent, up at 10,802.70 — losing about 80 points from the day’s high.

On the Sensex chart, Reliance Industries (RIL) was among the top gainers, jumping over 3 per cent to hit its record closing high. The company said it has secured Rs 730 crore from wireless technology leader Qualcomm by selling a small stake in Jio Platforms. Among other stellar performers on the Sensex were Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Bharti Airtel, Infosys, HUL and ITC. However, Sensex gains were mainly capped by index heavyweights HDFC twins — both slumping up to 2 per cent, after a report stating HDFC Bank has conducted an investigation into allegations of improper lending practices and conflict of interest at its vehicle financing arm. Among other losers on the index were Powergrid, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, SBI and Kotak Bank.

Sectorally, BSE energy, telecom, teck, IT, metal and FMCG indices rose up to 2.47 per cent, while realty, finance, bankex and utilities indices fell up to 1.52 per cent. Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude futures fell 1.25 per cent to $ 42.70 per barrel. On the currency front, the rupee settled on a flat note at 75.19 against the US dollar.