By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index of Indian equities Wednesday gave up its early morning gains at noon even as mid-size and small scrips saw better buying interest.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,448.69 points, was ruling at 20,539.49 points, up 131.78 points or 0.65 percent from its previous close at 20,407.71 points.
It had soared to 20,669.95 points in morning trade.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was trading at 6,187.75 points, up 0.68 percent.
Broader markets built on their early gains. The BSE midcap was trading 1.32 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 1.2 percent higher.
The mid-cap and small-cap indices track the performance of companies with relatively smaller market capitalisation.
The market breadth was positive with 1,960 scrips advancing, compared to 893 stocks declining and 107 remaining unchanged.
Metals, consumer durables, realty stocks saw buying. All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the green.
Top Sensex gainers at this time were Hindalco Industries, Jaiprakash Associate, Sterlite Industries, Jindal Steel, while Hindustan Unilever and M&M were on the losing side.
Hopes of supportive action by central banks of western economies helped boost sentiments in other Asian markets. The Bank of Japan had Tuesday surprised many by cutting its benchmark lending rates.
The Japan’s Nikkei shut shop 1.81 percent higher at 9,691.43 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was ruling 1.29 percent up at 22,930.68 points. The Chinese markets were closed Wednesday.