Markets end higher on global cues

Markets ended higher on Thursday, amid firm global cues, led by index heavyweights Infosys and ITC.

The failure of former UPA ally the Trinamool Congress to bring a no-confidence motion against the government in the Lok Sabha today over FDI in retail also helped improve sentiment.

Mamata Banerjee's party moved the motion as soon as Parliament met for the Winter Session but Speaker Meira Kumar disallowed it as it could not muster the required support of 50 members.

The 30-share Sensex ended at 18,517 up 57 points or 0.31% and the 50-share Nifty ended at 5,628 up by 13 points or 0.23%.

The Sensex and the Nifty reached an intra-day high of 18,568 levels and 5,643 mark, respectively.

On the global front, Japan's Nikkei average climbed 1.6% to a 6-1/2-month closing high on Thursday, boosted by gains in automakers and electronics companies on expectations that a sharply weaker yen will boost their earnings.

European shares extended a week-long rally on Thursday as manufacturing surveys in China and the United States boosted confidence over the global economic recovery.

Europe's FTSE Eurofirst 300 index rose 0.2% in early trading to 1,099.31 points, with London's FTSE 100, Paris's CAC-40 and Frankfurt's DAX about 0.3%

higher.

Back home, BSE Capital Goods, IT, TECk, FMCG, PSU and Banks indices surged by 1% each. However, BSE Oil & Gas index declined by nearly 0.5%.

In the Sensex pack software exporters Infosys was up over 1.5% while Wipro was up over 1% on the back of a weakening rupee.

Engineering major L&T gained 1.7% after the company said it has received fresh orders worth Rs 2,503 crore.

Among FMCG shares, ITC was up over 1% while Hindustan Unilever gained marginally.

In the banking segment, SBI was the top Sensex gainer, up nearly 2% while HDFC Bank gained 1%.

Other Sensex gainers include Tata Steel, Sterlite, M&M, Hindalco and NTPC, all surging between 1-2% each.

On the losing side, Tata Motors was the top Sensex loser, down over 2%. ICICI Bank, Sun Pharma, RIL and Cipla dipped by 1% each.

Among other shares, Blue Dart Express jumped 20% after its promoter announced plans to dilute 6.03% stake that is expected to fetch Rs 245 crore.

Shalimar Paints surged 8% after the stock turned ex-stock split today.

Max India dipped 3% after the stock of plastic products maker turn ex-dividend today.

Meanwhile, BSE Midcap index rose by 0.32% whereas BSE Smallcap index closed up by 0.39%.

The market breadth in BSE ended positive with 1,430 shares advancing and 1,367 shares declining.