Domestic equities reversed early losses to jump for a second straight session on gains in capital goods and banking shares as global signals remained positive on rebound in crude oil prices.
Firm trend in regional markets led by Japan after yen sank to its lowest-level in two weeks against the dollar and better inflation data from China also helped. Europe was higher on solid corporate earnings.
The 30-share Sensex slipped by 75 points in early trade on profit-booking in winners from yesterday’s 460-point rally.
However, buying reemerged on higher closing in Asia and strong opening in Europe as the index settled 83.67 points or 0.33 per cent higher at 25,772.53.
Shares of FMCG major Hindustan Unilever surged 1.93 per cent to Rs 862.45 after the company reported a 7 per cent rise in standalone net profit for the March quarter.
The broader markets too displayed a firm trend as retail investors widened their bets, with the BSE mid-cap index rising 0.20 per cent and small-cap gaining 0.11 per cent.
“Resource stocks were in focus as oil prices eased a bit after fears of supply disruptions caused due to the Canadian wildfires were offset due to brimming inventories and a possible refined products glut,” said Shreyash Devalkar, Fund Manager Equities, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.
The Nifty rose 21.75 points or 0.28 per cent to close at 7,887.80 after shuttling between 7,837.70 and 7,896.90.
Dr Reddy’s emerged as the star performer and closed 3.04 per cent up at Rs 2,928.35 followed by Axis Bank up 2.22 per cent at Rs 487.85.
Punjab & Sind Bank rose over 4 per cent after the company reported a profit of Rs 98.12 crore for the March quarter.
Investor sentiment, however, remained caution due to key macroeconomic data—IIP numbers and inflation—to be released this week.
Overseas, banking stocks led gains in Europe after Swiss lender Credit Suisse posted a smaller-than-expected net loss in the first quarter. Key indices like France, Germany and the UK rose by 0.89 per cent to 1.12 per cent.
From Asia, Nikkei settled 2.15 per cent higher, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan moved up between 0.02 per cent and 0.75 per cent while Singapore index fell 0.90 per cent.
Major gainers were Dr Reddy’s (3.04 pc), Axis Bank (2.22 pc), HUL (1.93 pc), L&T (1.87 pc), GAIL (1.26 pc), HDFC (1.20 pc), Infosys (1.12 pc), BHEL (1.10 pc), Bharti Airtel (0.79 pc), Lupin (0.63 pc), HDFC Bank (0.36 pc) and SBI (0.34 pc).
However, Tata Motors fell by 3.58 per cent followed by NTPC (1.75 pc), ONGC (1.65 pc) and Adani Ports (0.99 pc).
Among BSE sectoral and industry indices, capital goods rose 1.48 per cent followed by consumer durables (0.68 pc), bankex (0.62 pc), finance (0.54 pc), healthcare (0.53 pc), IT (0.52 pc), realty (0.47 pc) and teck (0.47 pc).
The market breadth turned negative as 1,334 stocks ended lower, 1,277 closed higher while 153 ruled steady.
The total turnover fell to about Rs 2,348 crore from Rs 2,467.95 crore yesterday.
PTI