BSE Sensex shrugs off IIP data, touches 18,000-mark after 6 months

The BSE Sensex touched the 18,000-mark on Wednesday for the first time in six months led by robust buying in metal, IT and auto stocks and positive global cues.

The 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex jumped 147.08 points, or 0.82 per cent, to close the day at 18,000.03. The 50-share Nifty closed 41 points, or 0.76 per cent, higher at 5,431.

The Indian equities earlier in the day touched a fresh three-week high on the back of buying in frontline counters and taking clues from European counterparts.

This despite India's industrial production slipping further to just 0.1 per cent in July.



Traders were seen piling up position in IT, Auto and Consumer Durable sector while selling was witnessed in Power and Healthcare sector.

In the scrip specific development, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airline and SpiceJet were seen trading firm in green through the day on reports that the government is preparing measures to potentially allow foreign investment (FDI) in the aviation sector.

State-run oil marketing companies HPCL, BPCL and IOC were trading under pressure after the government reportedly postponed a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) to consider hiking fuel prices to September 18.

The top gainers on the Sensex included Tata Motors up by 5.29 per cent, Jindal Steel & Power up by 3.79 per cent, Coal India up by 2.91 per cent, Wipro up by 2.48 per cent and TCS up by 1.50 per cent.

On the flip side, BHEL down by 1.64 per cent, Cipla down by 2.73 per cent, NTPC down by 2.18 per cent and Reliance Infra down 1. 29 per cent.