Sensex up 162 pts, banking stocks shine

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Wednesday closed 162 points higher on buying in banking, realty and consumer goods stocks amid firm global cues.

The Sensex rose by 162.37 points, or 0.84 per cent, to 19,417.46 as foreign investors remained net buyers for the 27 straight sessions.

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 49.85 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 5,905.60.

According to brokers, investors buying to clear their pending short positions created in recent bear-run before the monthly settlement in the derivatives segment Thursday also influenced the sentiment.

A firming Asian trend and the government decision of additional incentives for exporters, hit hard by the global slowdown were other supporting factors, they said.

Banking sector stocks were higher led by State Bank and ICICI Bank on expectations of an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India in January.

The index heaviest Reliance Industries shot up by 0.98 per cent to Rs 828, while state-run State Bank of India spurted 1.84 per cent to Rs 2,371.20. ICICI Bank rose by 2.38 per cent to Rs 1,147.95 and HDFC Bank by 0.64 per cent to Rs 679.50.