India’s stock benchmarks advanced, but came off morning highs. The rise was aided by gains in energy, fmcg and banking stocks.
The S&P BSE Sensex rose 0.2% to 59,702.17. The 30-stock gauge rose nearly 1% in intraday trade to 60,130.18. The NSE Nifty 50 advanced by similar magnitude to 17,781.10. Grasim Industries Ltd. had the largest increase, rising 4.1%. In midday trading, 31 of 50 shares rose, while 17 fell.
The broader indices almost mirrored their larger peers with both S&P BSE MidCap and S&P BSE SmallCap rising over 0.3%. Thirteen of the 19 sectoral indices compiled by BSE Ltd. advanced with S&P BSE Oil & Gas adding 0.75%.
The market breadth was skewed in the favour of bulls. About 2,098 stocks advanced, 1,219 declined and 91 remained unchanged.