Sensex ignores global cues, gains 1%

After an initial slide, the Sensex turned volatile on the back of weak cues from Asian markets. The index gained strength and touched a high of 16,910 - up 243 points from the day's low of 16,667.

The Sensex finally ended with a gain of 153 points (1%) at 16,849.

Asian markets ended flat with the Nikkei slipping 34 points. US markets had also edged lower on energy shares.

The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economies' upgraded view of India's GDP (from 6% to 6.2%) helped the NSE Nifty to cross the 5,000 mark again. However, the index slipped from the day's high to end at 4,999 - up 46 points.

The BSE market breadth turned neutral towards the end. Out of 2,827 stocks traded 1,378 advanced while 1,349 declined.

All indices ened in the green, barring realty and consumer durables. The BSE metal, IT and auto indices were up 1.5% each. The oil & gas index added 1% in trades on Friday.

INDEX MOVERS...

Hero Honda was the best performer and surged 4% to Rs 1,579. Maruti Suzuki also pushed up 4% to Rs 1,480.

IT stocks were the biggest contributors with Infosys gaining 1.5% to Rs 2,359 and TCS moving up 2.5% at Rs 670. Wipro also edged up 1.2% to Rs 633.

ONGC added 3% to Rs 1,184 on hopes of a rise in gas prices by the government. Index heavy-weight, ICICI Bank advanced 1.6% to Rs 909.

Other gainers in the market on Friday included Tata Steel, Hindustan Unilever, Hindalco, Reliance Infastructure and Grasim.

...AND THE SHAKERS

Jaiprakash Associates was the big loser in the benchmark on Friday. The stock slid 2% to Rs 232.

VALUE & VOLUME TOPPERS...

Mahindra Satyam topped the value chart with a turnover of Rs 521.03 crore on the BSE. It was followed by Reliance (149.12 crore), DLF (Rs 144.20 crore), JSW Steel (Rs 122.24 crore) and SBI (Rs 119.86 crore).

Mahindra Satyam also leads the volume chart with trades of 46.50 million shares. It is followed by Cals Refineries (16.10 million), Wire & Wireless India (15.50 million), Suzlon Energy (12.76 million) and Unitech (9.19 million) shares on the BSE.