As central banks and governments across the globe worked overtime and vowed to infuse liquidity to revive sagging economies, stock markets looked up and recorded solid gains today. The reassuring words from the finance minister and the Apex bank this morning proved strong enough triggers for marketment to go on a buying spree today.

Stockometer

The Sensex, which opened with a positive gap of around 290 points at 10,817.68 this morning and hit a high of 11,361.32, ended at 11,332.23 points with a handsome gain of 809 points or 7.64%. The Nifty ended at 3490.70 with a gain of 6.43% or 210.75 points. In intra-day trades today, the Nifty touched a high of 3510.20.

Top gainers

Bank stocks stole the thunder with leading private sector bank ICICI Bank leading the charge. Capital goods, consumer durables, power, realty, telecom, information technology, metal and auto stocks also posted handsome gains.

Worst losers

Refinery, oil and aviation stocks jumped following a sharp fall in global crude oil prices. Pharma stocks remained subdued in morning trade but gained in strength as the session progresses. Hectic buying was seen at several counters in midcap and smallcap segments.

Scrip Scan

Thanks to positive reports about the bank's capital adequacy, the ICICI Bank stock vaulted to a high of Rs 454.95 on strong buying support and ended with a gain of nearly 17% today.

Experts' Talk

Reliance Communications shot up by over 18%. Reliance Infrastructure gained around 16.5%. Sterlite Industries moved up by over 15%. HDFC Bank, BHEL, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro, State Bank of India, Hindalco and Tata Consultancy Services gained 9% - 12%.

Wipro, Jaiprakash Associates, Infosys Technologies, Satyam Computer Services, Bharti Airtel, DLF, NTPC, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Steel, HDFC, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Reliance Industries, Tata Motors and Tata Power also closed with strong gains today. ACC and Grasim Industries too ended on a firm note. ONGC gave up its gains and closed flat. Ranbaxy Laboratories went down sharply on selling pressure.

Cairn India, Suzlon Energy, Idea Cellular, GAIL India, Unitech, ABB, Punjab National Bank, Siemens, Tata Communications, SAIL and Reliance Petroleum closed on a strong note today. Reliance Power, BPCL, Power Grid Corporation and Hero Honda also ended on a high note. Cipla finished with a modest gain. HCL technologies, Ambuja Cements, Nalco, Sun Pharma and Zee Entertainment closed weak.

MphasiS, HDIL, Chambal Fertilizers, India Bulls Real Estate, Axis Bank, Bombay Rayon Fashions, Bombay Dyeing, IDFC, Titan Industries, IFCI, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers, Parsvnath Developers, JSW Steel, Glenmark Pharma and United Phosphorus were some of the big gainers from BSE 'A' Group today. These stocks went up by 14% - 28% on strong buying enquiries.

S Kumar's Nationwide, KFA, Moser Baer, Mic Electronics, Jindal Drilling, National Fertilizers, Asian Star, Nagarjuna Fertilizers & Chemicals, Emami, 3i Infotech, Prism Cements, Info Edge and Ballarpur Industries were some of the top gainers from the midcap space.

Among smallcaps, Alok Industries, Development Credit Bank, Vimta Labs, Bajaj Auto Finance, TV Today, Balmer Lawrie, Easun Reyrolle and Arvind Mills gained significant ground today.

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The market breadth remained strong right through the session. On BSE, 1687 stocks closed on a positive note today. 926 stocks posted losses and 59 stock ended flat.