The benchmark Sensex rebounded over 135 points to close at 27,780.83, reversing its two-day fall, led by gains in Coal India, Sun Pharma and Tata Steel on value-buying by investors.
The smart recovery came as other Asian markets shaped up. However, sentiment remained off-colour because of lingering concerns of Greece’s debt crisis.
In a volatile session, the 30-share index, which swung between gains and losses, finally settled higher by 135.68 points, or 0.49 per cent, at 27,780.83. Intra-day, it shuttled between 27,814.53 and 27,570.95.
The gauge had lost 250.82 points in the previous two sessions on the worsening Greece’s debt situation.
Meanwhile, the benchmark ended first quarter (April-June) of this fiscal with losses. Also, the 50-share Nifty, after moving both ways, ended higher by 50.10 points, or 0.60 per cent, at 8,368.50.
Brokers said value-buying in select blue-chips, coupled with a slightly better trend at other Asian markets after the previous day’s rout on Greece uncertainties, influenced sentiment here.
They said, however, caution prevailed as investors awaited further cues on Greece. Sun Pharma closed 2.89 per cent up at Rs. 874.20 after reports that the company has raised drug prices. Other gainers that aided the recovery include Coal India, Tata Steel, Lupin, ITC and Hindustan Unilever.
However, software exporters led by TCS, Wipro and Infosys came under selling pressure and fell up to 1.59 per cent after revenue warnings by some IT companies. Sector-wise, the BSE Healthcare index gained the most by rising 2.11 per cent, followed by FMCG (2.02 per cent), consumer durables (1.90 per cent), metal (1.73 per cent) and PSU (0.68 per cent).
BSE Mid-cap rose 1.33 per cent while Small-cap ended 1.07 per cent up. Meanwhile, foreign investors sold shares worth Rs. 711.88 crore on Monday, according to provisional data.
Globally, Asian markets provided some cheer after Chinese stocks halted their three-day fall. Japan’s Nikkei ended 0.63 per cent higher while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.09 per cent.
European markets, however, were trading lower in their opening trade as investors weighed whether Greece will default on a payment due on Tuesday.
