Index-based scrips improve

Brokers said the sentiment was subdued during the earlier part of the session mainly on lack of speculative support. However, it recovered smartly in the latter part, particularly front-line shares following reports of Reliance bonus meeting on June 26. The profit-taking was mainly due to the operators expecting a technical correction as the market which had witnessed continued upward trend was in an overbought position.

Reliance remained the most active scrip with a turnover of Rs 297.69 crore of the total volume of business of Rs 925.85 crore followed by SBI Rs 219.13 crore, ITC Rs 86.45 crore, Tata Steel Rs 78.55 crore and Telco Rs 43.87 crore. Reliance spurted by Rs 19.50 to Rs 340.50 on speculative support. SBI gained a rupee at Rs 339 and Tata Steel Rs 2.25 at Rs 196 on buying support. Hindustan Lever dropped by Rs 37 to Rs 1336.25 and Hindalco Rs 7.75 to Rs 952.75 on profit-taking.

On the National Stock Exchange share prices rose marginally on scattered dealings and closed with a minor gain. The NSE-50 index, however, opened weak at 1151.95 and dropped further to 1145.35. Later, it recovered to 1161.70 and closed at 1159.80, showing no change from yesterday. The total volume was Rs 2,105.31 crore.