The BSE Sensex on Monday
closed 29 points higher in the first trading session of 2013-14, supported by buying in blue-chip stocks such as Dr Reddy's, Infosys and Reliance Industries (RIL).
The 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange moved between 18,959.48 and 18,796.60 before ending moderately higher by 28.98 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 18,864.75.
Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 21.85 points, or 0.38 per cent, to 5,704.40, after moving between 5,720.95 and 5,675.90.
Brokers said
the buying activity was more confined to recent losers as the benchmark recorded first quarterly losses since December 2011.
The Sensex has recorded its first quarterly decline since the three months ended December 2011 amid
weakest economic expansion in a decade, widening budgetary deficits and the highest inflation.
Traders said most investors were directionless as most of the Asian and European markets were closed for a public holiday.
In 30-BSE index components, 15 stocks closed higher while other 15 ended in negative zone. Major gainers were - Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Larsen and Toubro, BHEL, Cipla, Hindustan Unilver, NTPC, State Bank of India and ICICI Bank.
The second most heavy stock on Sensex, Infosys, surged by 1.85 per cent to Rs 2,943.25 on optimism of better quarter earnings scheduled on April 12, while most heavy RIL rose 0.58 per cent to Rs 778.15 after nine days of losses.
Shares of Dr Reddy's closed 3.34 per cent up to closed at Rs 1,825.30.
The realty sector index was star performer by adding 5.37 per cent to 1,875.69 followed by capital goods by 1.68 per cent to 9,168.97. Power index rose by 1.09 per cent to 1,664.51 and healthcare index by 0.97 per cent to 8,085.46.
With inputs from PTI
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