Sensex at two-year high on GAAR deferral, rate cut hopes

The BSE benchmark Sensex on Monday jumped 243 points to close at two-year high on all-round buying as government delayed implementation of controversial GAAR by two years amid rate cut hopes getting a shot in the arm as inflation in December declined to three-year low.

Registering its best gain in the calendar year, the BSE 30-share index remained in positive throughout the day to settle at 19,906.41 - a rise of 242.77 points or 1.23 percent.

Similarly, the 50-share NSE index Nifty shot up by 72.75 points, or 1.22 per cent, to 6,024.05.

Inflation based on the wholesale prices declined to a three-year low of 7.18 per cent in December, triggering buying in stocks. "Today's inflation print has actually strengthened the debate over whether the RBI should deliver a 25 bpd or a 50 bpd rate cut on January 29," said Barclays Research.

Soon after, the government said it has postponed implementation of controversial GAAR by two years to April 2016.

"The market sentiment was boosted by Finance Minister P Chidambaram's decision to defer implementation of General Anti-Avoidance Rules," Sanjeev Zarbade, Vice President, PCG Research, Kotak Securities.

Investor wealth zoomed by Rs 84,000 crore to Rs 70.80 lakh crore as nearly five out of ten stocks among 3,007 scrips traded on BSE today ended with gains.

In all 11 out of 13 sectoral indices closed with gains with realty, IT, Teck, consumer durable, refinery and PSU segments leading the pack while only auto and pharma sectors ended in negative terrain.

ONGC was the best gainer in Sensex as it rose 4.28 per cent, followed by IT bellwether Infosys that continued its upward march for the second straight day gaining 3.49 per cent today. TCS also rose by over 2 per cent ahead of Q3 results.

In banking sector, ICICI Bank and HDFC gained in 1.6-1.9 per cent range. RIL and ITC also supported market gains.