Domestic indices close higher than 1 per cent upon taking cues from global indices

Markets on Thursday regained Wednesday's losses with domestic benchmark indices closing higher than their previous close. Sensex gained by 408.68 points or 1.12 per cent to settle at 36,737.69 while Nifty increased by 107.70 points or 1.01 per cent to settle at 10,813.45.

Tata Group stated that its retail firm Trent Limited is seeking to pursue 'accelerated expansion' in the future once its existing stores are back in business after being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The company also mentioned that India continues to be amongst the most attractive retail markets globally with its strong demographics and growing consumption, factors which will continue to play out over medium to long term. Such positive statements will work to boost investor and consumer confidence during current gloomy economic situations.

Despite the rising coronavirus cases and jobless claim numbers in light of the recent re-imposition of lockdowns in US, on Thursday, global markets including Asian and European markets inched higher taking cues from Wednesday's positive US session. Shanghai index, Hang Seng, Nikkei and KOSPI gained by 1.39 per cent, 0.31 per cent, 0.40 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively. In European markets DAX and CAC 40 were seen trading up by 1.24 per cent and 0.048 per cent whereas FTSE 100 was down by 0.58 per cent.

Breaking a three-day losing streak, the rupee ended at 74.99 as against the US dollar on Thursday when compared to Wednesday's close of 75.02. 

In the Sensex basket, eight stocks declined while 22 stocks advanced. Sensex winners comprised Bajaj Finance soaring by 3.93 per cent, SBI Bank gaining by 3.72 per cent, Tata Steel rallying by 3.05 per cent, HDFC increasing by 3.05 per cent, Bajaj Finserv rising by 2.63 per cent, HCL Technologies gaining by 2.25 per cent, Axis Bank increasing by 2.16 per cent, Mahindra & Mahindra up by 1.80 per cent, etc. Sensex draggers included ONGC dropping by 1.66 per cent, Tech Mahindra declining by 1.22 per cent, Maruti Suzuki falling by 0.66 per cent, TCS decreasing by 0.60 per cent, HUL dipping by 0.45 per cent, ITC down by 0.41 per cent, etc.

Amongst BSE sectoral indices, the biggest gainer was Metal index, up by 2.13 per cent whereas FMCG index was the biggest loser, down by 0.35 per cent. In the broader markets, BSE small-cap index rose by 0.49 per cent while BSE mid-cap index gained by 0.07 per cent.