Sensex ends above 20k mark on strong global cues

Indian Benchmark indices escalated today on firm global cues led by support from heavyweights ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Hindalco, Sterlite Industries and SBI. The BSE benchmark ended at 20060.32, up by 171.44 points or 0.86%and the NSE Nifty closed lower by 53.60 points or 0.90% to end at 6000.65.

In the 30-share index Sterlite Industries (4.63%), Hindalco (4.45%), ICICI Bank (3.56%), DLF (1.97%) and HDFC Bank (1.89%) are the top five gainers. On the other hand Hero Honda (0.77%), Bharti Airtel (0.67%), Infosys (0.65%), NTPC (0.60%) and TCS (0.59%) were the major losers in the 30-share index. Market breadth was positive with 1820 advances against 1118 declines on BSE India.

Among the BSE sectoral indices Metal index was amont the top gainers today to end 2.76% up. On the other hand HC index was the top loser in the BSE sectoral indices to end 0.32% down.

On the broader Indices the BSE midcap ended higher by 59.75 points at 7618.12 and small cap closed up by 87.76 points at 9308.91.