Market Wrap: Sensex Ends 61 Points Higher, Nifty Holds 11,250

Equity benchmark Sensex ended 61.13 points higher on Thursday as domestic investors weighed the impact of rising coronavirus cases in the country. The 30-share index settled 61.13 points or 0.16 per cent higher at 38,470.61 while the broader NSE Nifty advanced 18 points or 0.16 per cent to finish at 11,269.

Top gainers in the Sensex pack included Kotak Bank, HCL Tech, HUL, TCS, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Bajaj Finance and SBI, while Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra, ICICI Bank and Infosys ended with losses. SBI jumped 1.05 per cent following reports that the government has given the go-ahead to the lender and other financial institutions to take over capital-starved Yes Bank.

In the previous session, the 30-share BSE barometer settled 214.22 points or 0.55 per cent lower at 38,409.48, and the Nifty closed 52.30 points or 0.46 per cent down at 11,251.

The IMF on Wednesday said it will make available about USD 50 billion through its rapid-disbursing emergency financing facilities for low income and emerging market countries that could potentially seek support on account of the coronavirus.

Bourses in China, Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo ended with firm gains, while those in Europe fell up to 1 per cent in early trade. Brent crude oil futures inched up 0.04 per cent to USD 51.16 per barrel. On the currency front, the Indian rupee appreciated 15 paise to 73.24 per US dollar (intra-day).

Bullion Market Closing: Gold Falls Rs 157, Silver Prices Decline Rs 99

Gold on Thursday fell by Rs 157 to Rs 44,250 per 10 gram in the national capital amid muted demand for the precious metal. In the previous trade, it had closed at Rs 44,407 per 10 gram, according to HDFC Securities. Likewise, silver prices also declined Rs 99 to Rs 47,517 per kg from Rs 47,616 per kg on Wednesday.

“Spot gold for 24 Karat in Delhi pared previous gains and traded lower by Rs 157. Rupee fluctuation kept prices in range throughout the day,” HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said. The Indian rupee continued its downward journey on Thursday, sliding another 5 paise to trade at 73.44 against the US dollar amid mounting fears of a coronavirus-led economic slowdown.

From the international market, gold was quoting with marginal gains at USD 1,640 per ounce, while silver traded flat, down at USD 17.17 per ounce.