Share Market Update: Sensex Ends Marginally Higher, Nifty Above 12,350

Market benchmarks Sensex and Nifty on Thursday managed to close with gains but slipped from fresh life-time peaks hit during early trade as investors focussed on signing of US-China initial trade deal. During the session, the 30-share BSE index breached the 42,000 mark for the first time before settling 59.83 points, or 0.14 per cent, higher at 41,932.56.

It hit a record intra-day high of 42,059.45. Likewise, the broader Nifty scaled its lifetime (intra-day) high of 12,389.05. It ended 12.20 points, or 0.10 per cent, up at 12,355.50.

Nestle India was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 3.23 per cent, followed by Kotak Bank, HUL, Bharti Airtel, RIL, TCS, PowerGrid and Titan. On the other hand, NTPC, Hero MotoCorp, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra and Axis Bank finished in the red.

In the previous session, Sensex ended 79.90 points, or 0.19 per cent, down at 41,872.73; while the Nifty fell 19 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 12,343.30.

Meanwhile, on a net basis, foreign institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 279.53 crore, while domestic institutional investors sold shares worth Rs 648.34 crore on Wednesday, data available with stock exchanges showed.

According to traders, domestic market turned positive as global investors heaved a sigh of relief after the US and China on Wednesday signed the first phase of a trade deal, concluding more than a year of tough negotiations between the two largest economies of the world. Bourses in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended higher. While Shanghai closed in the red.

European markets too started on a positive note. Brent crude oil futures rose 0.52 per cent to USD 64.33 per barrel. The rupee depreciated 11 paise to 70.93 per US dollar (intra-day).

Gold Rises Rs 43, Silver Jumps Rs 209

Gold prices on Thursday rose by Rs 43 to Rs 40,458 per 10 gram in the national capital on rupee depreciation, according to HDFC Securities. The precious metal had on Wednesday closed at Rs 40,415 per 10 gram. Silver also jumped Rs 209 to Rs 47,406 per kg as compared to Rs 47,197 per kg in the previous trade.

“Spot gold for 24 Karat in Delhi rose by Rs 43 on rupee depreciation while expectation of higher spot demand post Makar Sankranti also lifted market sentiments,” HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said.

In the international market, gold and silver were trading flat at USD 1,553 per ounce and USD 17.87 per ounce, respectively. Market benchmark Sensex on Thursday scaled the 42,000 mark for the first time ever and Nifty hit its record peak in opening session tracking positive cues from global equities after the US and China signed initial trade deal.

(With inputs from PTI)