Markets weekly roundup: Sensex registers biggest gain in nearly 3 months, surges 1,351 points

The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty surged over 5 per cent for the first time in nearly three months due to factors such as robust quarterly numbers, expectation of good monsoon and firm global cues. The 30-share index soared 1,351.70 points, or 5.25 per cent, to 26,653.60 on May 27, 2016 from 25301.90 on May 20 last week. Likewise, the 50-share index jumped 406.95 points to 8156.65 from 7749.70 during the same period.

The sentiments also got a boost after Morgan Stanley upgraded India equities to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’.

In the Nifty 50-index, share price of State Bank of India soared the most — 17.30 per cent, followed by Larsen & Toubro (up 17.24 per cent), Tech Mahindra (up 12.33 per cent), Ambuja Cements (up 10.61 per cent) and ICICI Bank (up 10.09 per cent). On the other hand, Cipla, Lupin, Aurobindo Pharma and ONGC plunged 6.74 per cent, 1.57 per cent, 0.86 per cent and 0.23 per cent, respectively, and remained among top losers in the broader index.

All the sectors on the BSE ended the week in green with BSE Capital Goods index, BSE Bankex, BSE FMCG index and BSE Power index surging 11.19 per cent, 6.46 per cent, 5.50 per cent and 4.34 per cent, respectively.

During the week, government approved the country’s first-ever policy for the capital goods sector, terming it is the “need of the hour” and said the thrust on demand creation, technology depth and exports will help address the challenges faced by the sector. The government gave its nod to India’s first-ever policy on capital goods that intends to make the country a world-class hub and looks to create over 21 million additional jobs by 2025.

In another significant development that helped market sentiments, private weather forecaster Skymet predicted that the coming monsoon (June-September) will remain ‘above normal’ and revised the the benchmark Long Period Average (LPA) from 105 per cent to 109 per cent (error margin of +/-4%).

Sanjeev Zarbade, vice-president, PCG research, Kotak Securities said, “Global markets had one of their best weeks in recent months as most indices ended firmly in the positive zone. New US single-family home sales surged to a more than eight-year high in April and prices hit a record high, offering further evidence of a pick-up in economic growth. Closer home, the Sensex notched smart gains of around 5 per cent for the week on strong buying in infrastructure, banks and other select stocks. L&T came out with stellar set of numbers which beat expectations. SBI results were also better. Signs of good monsoons and expectations of corporate profit growth rebounding in the coming quarters propelled markets to higher levels.”

During the week, Indian rupee appreciated marginally by 0.51 per cent to 67.06 against dollar on May 27 from 67.40 on May 20.

After the recent rally on Dalal Street, Jayant Manglik, president, retail distribution, Religare Securities said, “After vertical surge, we might see some pause or profit taking in the coming sessions and suggest using it as an opportunity to enter and wait for 8,250 in Nifty.”