Nifty & Sensex closed at fresh record highs; M&M is top gainer

The domestic equity benchmarks ended near the day's high after a volatile session on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. The benchmark opened marginally lower on the back of global cues, which was unsupportive as news of rising coronavirus cases impacted sentiments.

The S&P BSE Sensex gained 227.34 points or 0.52 per cent at 44,180.05. Similarly, the Nifty 50 index added 64.05 points or 0.50 per cent to end at 12,938.25. The Nifty Bank closed 568.55 points or 1.95 per cent higher at 29,749.85.

The broader market at BSE also surged. Outperforming the Sensex, the BSE Mid-Cap index climbed 1.22 per cent and the BSE Small-Cap index zoomed 0.90 per cent.

Buyers outpaced sellers. On the BSE, 1618 shares rose and 1152 shares fell. On similar lines, 26 shares gained on the Nifty 50 index and 24 declined. The gainers on the Nifty 50 index were M&M (up 10.64 per cent), Tata Motors (up 9.30 per cent), Bajaj Finserv (up 6.44 per cent), Larsen & Turbo (up 6.04 per cent) and IndusInd Bank (up 5.92 per cent). The shares that fell the most include BPCL (down 2.85 per cent), Hindustan Unilever (down 1.98 per cent), Dr Reddy's (down 1.70 per cent), Titan (down 1.57 per cent), and TCS (down 1.50 per cent).

COVID-19 Update

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide were at 5,56,27,041 with 13,38,130 deaths. India reported 4,46,805 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 1,30,993 deaths while 83,35,109 patients have been discharged, data showed.

Retail Sales in the US

Data showed October US retail sales rose 0.3 per cent in October, confirming the weakest rise in six months. In other economic data, industrial production rose 1.1 per cent in October, the Fed reported. Capacity utilisation rose to 72.8 per cent in October from 72 per cent in September.

European Market

European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers are trying to persuade investors not to focus too much on the size of their next dose of monetary stimulus, hoping they will instead look at its design. President Christine Lagarde and colleagues have used a run of public comments to stress that December's much-anticipated policy decision will aim to cement cheap money for the duration of the economic crisis, achieved through both asset purchases and more loans to banks. "What is really important is that we make sure that the financing conditions are stable, are conducive to economic recovery as it comes," she said.