Indian Markets end marginally higher on expiry of May Series - LuvKush Finserve

Markets ended marginally higher on Thursday, amid expiry of May futures and options series, led by gains in FMCG major ITC and select auto shares. The Sensex ended at 20,215 up 68 points. Nifty ended up 20 points at 6,124.

Markets will be looking at Q4 March 2013 gross domestic product (GDP) data due today for further direction. The rupee trimmed its early gains but was still quoted at 56.22 against the dollar due to selling of the US currency by banks amid its lower value overseas.

Most of the sectoral indices ended in the red. BSE realty index was down 2.4% at 1,786. Metal index ended down 1.1%, Oil & gas index slipped 0.7% at 8,895. Capital goods, metal and bankex shed some weight as well. However, the BSE auto index was up 2.3% at 11,369. FMCG and power sectors also ended marginally higher.

Tata Motors added 4.3% to end at Rs 317. Sensex losers include, ICICI Bank, L&T and Tata Steel which shed 1-4% each. ONGC ended flat at Rs 334 after it reported 40% decline in net profit.

Index heavyweights, Reliance which dipped 1.3% at Rs 836 and together with ICICI Bank, accounted for a 84 point drop on the Sensex. Broader markets ended in red as well. BSE mid-cap index was flat at 6,475. Small-cap index, however, dropped 21 points to 6,038.

Source : Equity Bulls

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