Sensex soars 385 points to over 1-week high; metals, banking shine

Domestic stock markets were also supported by heavy purchases in IT stocks like Infosys and TCS as some foreign brokerages turned bullish ahead of September quarter earnings. The 30-share index, which had gained over 137 points in the previous session. shot up further by 384.92 points, or 1.97 per cent to 19,902.07 — the highest level since September 24 (19,920.21).

27 stocks out of the Sensex constituents ended higher led by Sesa Goa, Bajaj Auto, HDFC Ltd, Hindalco, TCS and Tata Power. HeroMotocorp, ICICI Bank, Jindal Steel, L&T, RIL, Infosys and Wipro also helped cement gains. Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained 129.65 points, or 2.24 per cent, to end at 5,909.70. Also, SX40 index, the flagship index of MCX—SX, closed at 11,853.27, up 233.36 points or 2.01 per cent.

“With the US government shutdown, the likelihood of the Fed tapering its quantitative easing program anytime in the immediate future is reduced, thus helping the Indian equity and currency markets,” said Raghu Kumar, co-founder of brokerage firm RKSV.

Trading sentiment also strengthened after rupee gained against dollar and was last trading at 61.85 levels compared to 62.46 on Tuesday, as the US government entered the third day of its partial shutdown.

Meanwhile, the Indian government plans to increase capital infusion in PSU banks to help them enhance exposure to auto, consumer durables sectors. Besides, ahead of the RBI’s central board meet, the central bank chief Raghuram Rajan on Thursday met Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and is understood to have discussed economic issues.

Sectorally, the BSE Metal sector gained the most by rising 3.94 per cent, followed by BSE Bankex (3.41 per cent), BSE Capital Goods index (2.82 per cent) and BSE Oil & Gas index (2.46 per cent).