Sensex

         The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE),

which opened at 26,419.53 points, closed at 26,419.55 points, up 59.44 points or 0.23

percent from the previous day's close at 26,360.11 points.

         The Sensex touched a high of 26,508.27 points and a low of 26,383.16 points in the intra-day trade.

          The S&P BSE bankex gained 184.69 points and IT index rose by 159.70 points, while

consumer durables index dropped by 15.79 points and realty index slipped 15.05 points.

           The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) hit a record high of

7,929.05 in the day and closed trade 22.10 points or 0.28 percent up at a record 7,913.20

points."Markets remained buoyant during the week with the Nifty closing above the 7,900-

mark for the first time ever.

           The mid-caps outperformed their larger peers, indicating greater interest from the

non-institutional players. Buying by FIIs in the cash market segment remained subdued.

Reduced geo-political tensions and optimism on future economic growth buoyed

sentiments," Dipen Shah, head-Private Client Group Research, Kotak Securities said."Going

ahead, expectations on interest rate movements in US and fiscal reforms in India will

continue to drive the markets in the medium-to-long term.

            In the short term, geo-political issues and monsoon will be the triggers to track," he

added.The major Sensex gainers were: Hindalco Industries, up 2.36 percent at Rs.182.05;

State Bank of India, up 2.26 percent at Rs.2,523.60; HDFC Bank, up 1.80 percent at

Rs.846.60; and Infosys, up 1.65 percent at Rs.3,601.25.    more >>