Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty on Tuesday hit new peaks as reports of “near-normal” monsoon forecast and good corporate earnings optimism buoyed the sentiment. The BSE Sensex started off on a bullish note at 39,040.30 and hit a new intra-day record of 39,364.34. It, however, finally settled at 39,275.64, 370 points or 0.95 per cent higher, marking its life-time closing high. The index has added 690.29 points in the last four sessions. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty opened higher at 11,736.20 and breached the psychological 11,800-level for the first time. The NSE index settled the day at a new record closing level of 11,787.15, up 96.80 points or 0.83 per cent. “The market rallied to a new high supported by optimism over quarter earnings and positive global market. A better monsoon outlook from IMD provided relief to investors, who are keen on earnings outcome to accumulate quality stocks despite election led volatility,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services. The rally was led by financial sector stocks, aided by sustained foreign fund inflows. ICICI Bank rose 3.58 per cent. IndusInd Bank was the top gainer with a 3.96 per cent rise. Other gainers were ONGC, Larsen and Toubro, Maruti, Asian paints and HeroMoto Corp - climbing as much as 2.49 per cent. Sectorally, the BSE bankex rose 1.62 per cent, finance 1.08 per cent, consumer durables 1.16 per cent and telecom 1.03 per cent. In the broader market, BSE largecap, midcap and smallcap indices underperformed the benchmark Sensex. Jayant Manglik, President - Retail Distribution, Religare Broking, said, “bulls continued to dominate the markets which touched new record highs despite muted global cues. The narrowing of trade deficit in the month of March and IMD’s forecast of near normal monsoon led to the buoyancy. We remain cautiously optimistic on the Indian markets and expect consolidation in the near term given the recent rally.” “Earnings outcome of Nifty heavyweights (Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank) this week may provide further direction to the markets. On the global front, China GDP data, US-China trade talks as well as corporate earnings will provide cues to the investors. In addition, the rupee-dollar movement and oil prices are the other key factors,” Manglik said. According to Umesh Mehta, Head of Research, Samco Securities, the current rally is expected to become broad based soon, hopefully once the election speed breaker passes. “The primary market is witnessing strong inflows as the sentiment from the market participants is bullish on India,” he said. In Asia, Japan, China and Korea ended on a positive note. In Europe, Germany, France and the UK were trading in the positive terrain in early deals.
