Markets surge to 2009 closing highs

The Sensex opened flat at 15,770 on the back of mixed cues from Asian markets. The index was lacklustre till noon trades but suddenly slipped to a low of 15,663 as the Shanghai markets declined.

However, it managed to rebound sharply and surged to a high of 15,958 - up 295 points from the low.

The Sensex finally ended at a new 2009 closing high of 15,922 - up 141 points.

The Nifty also ended at this year's closing high at 4,732 - up 44 points. Through the day the index touched a high of 4,744 and a low of 4,651.

The market breadth was positive. Out of 2,855 stocks traded, 1,535 advanced while 1,247 declined.

INDEX MOVERS...

DLF surged 5.3% to Rs 413. Jaiprakash Associates rallied 5% to Rs 231.

Bharti Airtel gained 4.5% at Rs 435. Hindalco added 3% to Rs 109.

Reliance Infrastrucure moved up 2.5% to Rs 1,169. Hero Honda added 2% to Rs 1,504.

ICICI Bank, Hindustan Unilever, SBI, ACC and Reliance were also up.

Among the Nifty stocks, Reliance Capital added 4.5% to Rs 873. Cairn India, Siemens, Punjab National Bank and SAIL were up 2-3% each.

...AND SHAKERS

Tata Power and ITC dropped 1.5% each to Rs 1,339 and Rs 237, respectively. Sun Pharma slipped 1% to Rs 1,204.

In Nifty, HCL Technologies dropped 2% to Rs 306. Ranbaxy and Tata Communications slipped 1.5% each.