Sensex ends 57 points up on hopes of economic reforms

Mumbai: The BSE barometer Sensex rose for the second straight day on Thursday gaining nearly 57 points on selective buying in banking, IT and FMCG stocks after positive signs that the government might push through its economic reforms to boost economic growth.

The 30-share benchmark index rose by 56.96 points, or

0.31 per cent, to settle at 18,517.34 points as an attempt by former UPA ally Trinamool Congress to bring a no-confidence motion against the government over FDI in retail failed in the Lok Sabha.

The capital goods sector index gained the most by adding 1.07 per cent to 10,624.36, followed by IT index by 0.85 per cent to 5,731.71.

The Sensex had gained 131 points in the previous session. The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 12.95 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 5,627.75. The government is reaching out to other political parties to secure backing for reforms in the winter parliamentary session that begins on Thursday, including plans to boost FDI in insurance and pension sectors.

The upsurge was also supported on firming Asian trend on signs the US jobs market is stabilising and Chinese manufacturing is recovering. European stocks rose ahead of EU summit to solve debt crisis. Banking stocks, led by State Bank of India, remained on the forefront after the government allowed state-run LIC to increase maximum stake in other companies.

SBI jumped 1.89 per cent to Rs 2,099.65, HDFC Bank by

1.03 per cent to Rs 669.25, and Axis Bank by 1.86 per cent to Rs 1,257.20. Shares of Hindustan Copper surged by 11.33 per cent to Rs 266.30 after the government announced plans to divest four per

cent equity in the company.

The capital goods sector index gained the most by adding 1.07 per cent to 10,624.36, followed by IT index by 0.85 per cent to 5,731.71. Banking index rose by 0.52 per cent to 13,224.23

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