Local stocks closed marginally higher

The key domestic indices ended on a mildly positive note. Nifty Metal, Nifty Private Bank and Nifty Bank shares advanced, while Nifty FMCG and Nifty Auto shares fell. As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, up 3.11 points to 77,540.83. The Nifty 50 index up 20.15 points to 24,252. The broader market underperformed the frontline indices. The BSE 150 MidCap Index posted modest gains of 0.12% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index edged higher by 0.31%. The market breadth was favorable. On the BSE, 2628 shares gained and 2534 shares declined. A total of 236 shares were unchanged. Eternal Ltd was the top traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 316.51 lakh shares and recorded a sharp spurt of 19.82% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has jumped by around 14.29% in last one-month and has inched higher 0.43% over last one year. Tata Steel Ltd was the second highest traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 262.99 lakh shares and posted a sharp rise of 53.15% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has eased 1.56% in last one-month and has rallied 13.33% over last one year. 8 stocks in NSE500 index hit record high today. Index action The Nifty Metal index advanced slightly by 0.86% to 13172.6 today. The index is marginally higher by 0.20% in last one week and has posted modest gains of 4.12% over last one month. It is sharply higher by around 37.51% in last one year. Welspun Corp Ltd (up 15.30%), Vedanta Ltd (up 4.10%), Hindustan Zinc Ltd (up 3.66%), National Aluminium Company Ltd (up 2.30%) and Hindustan Copper Ltd (up 2.25%) gained. The Nifty FMCG index slipped by 0.74% to 47510.95 today. The index is lower by 1.99% in last one week and has edged lower 2.45% over last one month. It is sharply lower by around 15.53% in last one year. Britannia Industries Ltd (down 3.30%), Varun Beverages Ltd (down 1.87%), Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (down 1.48%), Patanjali Foods Ltd (down 1.22%) and Radico Khaitan Ltd (down 1.20%) went down. The Nifty Auto index moved lower by 0.60% to 29124.6 today. The index is marginally lower by 0.31% in last one week and has gained 8.41% over last one month. It has jumped by 15.05% in last one year. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (down 1.77%), Tube Investments of India Ltd (down 1.51%), Bosch Ltd (down 1.13%), Exide Industries Ltd (down 0.97%) and Bajaj Auto Ltd (down 0.79%) declined. The Nifty Consumer Durables index rose for a third session in a row today. Voltas Ltd (up 1.27%), Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd (up 1.27%), Amber Enterprises India Ltd (up 1.03%), Titan Company Ltd (up 0.36%) and Blue Star Ltd (up 0.13%) moved up. Global Markets European markets showed a slight improvement. DOW futures are edging higher by 0.54% today. MCX Crude oil futures are trading a little higher by 0.74% at Rs 8297.0 per barrel. NIFTY50 futures ended down 0.02% at 24288 and are in a discount of 36 points compared to NIFTY50.