Sensex improves 167 points, Rupee falls 8 paise against USD

The BSE Sensex on Friday rose 167.06 points to close at 71,595.49 following gains in oil and gas, metals, and utilities stocks.The National Stock Exchange (NSE) gained 64.55 points to 21,782.50.The NSE registered days high and low at 21,804.45 and 21,629.90 points respectively.

The Sensex opened at 71,410.29, or 18 points. During the day, it lost 228 points at 71,200.31, days low. In late trade, it erased earlier losses and finished at 71,595.49, up 167.06 points from its previous close.

The stocks that lifted the market were oil and gas, metal, telecommunications, and utilities stocks.The midcap eased 0.82 pc, and the small cap fell by 1.36 pc.In 30 scrips, 16 advanced and 14 declined.

The gainers were SBI by 3.55 pc to Rs 724.25, Sun Pharma by 2.31 pc to Rs 1534.85, ICICI Bank by 2.20 pc to Rs 1011.35, Axis Bank by 1.69 pc to Rs 1054.20, and Bajaj Finance by 1.17 pc to Rs 6654.80.

The losers were M & M by 2.40 pc to Rs 1646.85, Bharti Airtel by 1.94 pc to Rs 1120.45, NTPC by 1.84 pc to Rs 324.90, and Tata Steel by 1.67 pc to Rs 141.30.

Rupee falls 8 paise against USD

The rupee on Friday slipped eight paise to close at 83.03 against the USD on rising demand for the US dollar by bankers and importers, dealers at the Foreign Exchange said.The local unit opened at 82.98, easing three paise; till the end of the session, it was dropped further by eight paise to finish at 83.03 as compared to its previous close.The rupee recorded intraday highs and lows at 82.97 and 83.06, respectively, the dealer added.(UNI)<>