Closing Bell: Sensex up 168 points at 39,784; Nifty comfortably above 11,900

The BSE benchmark Sensex ended 168.62 points higher after a highly volatile session on Monday driven by gains in IT and banking stocks amid positive global and domestic cues. After swinging over 350 points in early trade, the BSE gauge settled 168.62 points, or 0.43 per cent, up at 39,784.52. The index hit an intra-day high of 39,979.48 and a low of 39,619.97.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty rose 52 points, or 0.44 per cent, to settle at 11,922.70. During the day, the index touched a high of 11,975.05 and a low of 11,871.75. While around 967 shares have advanced, 1619 shares declined. Whereas 172 shares remain unchanged.

In the previous session on Friday, the Sensex settled 86.18 points, or 0.22 per cent, higher at 39,615.90. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty rose 26.90 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 11,870.65.

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Top gainers in Monday’s closing session include Britannia Industries, Tech Mahindra, Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank, L&T, ITC, PowerGrid, HCL Tech, TCS, Infosys, Tata Steel and Dr Reddy’s Labs, ending up to 2.39 per cent.

On the other hand, BPCL, Yes Bank, ONGC, Coal India, GAIL and Tata Motors were among losers, falling up to 2.89 per cent. Excluding energy and PSU bank all other indices ended higher among sectors, led by IT, FMCG, pharma, metal and infra.

Analysts said investors took positive cues from upbeat global markets amid easing global trade war concerns after the US dropped plans to impose tariffs on Mexico.

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In Asia, Shanghai Composite Index settled 0.86 per cent higher, Hang Seng rallied 2.27 per cent, Nikkei jumped 1.20 per cent and Kospi gained 1.31 per cent. Bourses in Europe were also trading higher in their early deals.

On the currency front, the Indian rupee depreciated 9 paise to 69.55 against the US dollar. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell marginally to USD 63.23 per barrel.

(With inputs from agencies)