Sensex snaps 3-day losing run, climbs 160 points on firm global cues

Stocks rose for the first time in four days as market benchmark Sensex rebounded from over three-week lows by rising 160.48 points to 25,262.21 on value-buying in recently beaten-down stocks and firm global cues.

In addition, the rupee supported the recovery as it rose by 10 paise to 66.45 in intra-day trade against the dollar.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill 2016 after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved 55 amendments to the bill. The Centre provided a thrust on infrastructure, agriculture and rural sectors in the Budget 2016-17.

Still, sentiment remained jittery in view of lackluster quarterly earnings by some blue-chips, traders said.

"Even though there was little positive sign from slipping global equities, consecutive days decline rendered Indian stocks attractive for value buyers," said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

Further market momentum will also be assessed based on the outcome of US non-farm payroll and the unemployment data slated tomorrow, he added.

The 30-share Sensex after opening higher at 25,187.66 advanced to hit the day's high of 25,394.10. However, selling at improved levels at the fag-end, trimmed gains and the index finally settled 160.48 points or 0.64% higher at 25,262.21. It had lost 505 points in the previous three days.

The 50-share NSE Nifty bounced back by 28.95 points or 0.38% to 7,735.50. Bucking the trend, broader markets remained under pressure with mid-cap and small-cap indices falling by up to 0.09%.

Shares of HDFC Ltd topped the gainers list among Sensex constituents, rising 2.90% to Rs 1,163.85 on the back of encouraging Q4 earnings.

Overseas, Europe was higher, buoyed by some solid earnings numbers. Key indices from the region like France, Germany and the UK moved up by 0.18% to 0.59%. Asian stocks showed mixed trend following slowdown in growth in China's services sector. 

However, the data triggered speculation of likely stimulus for Chinese economy, thereby aiding recovery in mainland China. Key indices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan moved up by 0.19% to 0.37% while China's index firmed up by 0.22%.

Back home, 19 scrips, out of the 30-share Sensex pack ended higher, while 11 including Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, HUL, Bajaj Auto, RIL, Axis Bank, TCS, Hero MotoCorp and Dr Reddy's fell by up to 4.33%.

Major gainers were, HDFC (2.90 pc), BHEL (2.55%), Tata Motors (2.46%), Larsen (2.20%), Lupin (1.71%), ITC (1.52%), Cipla (1.47%, Sun Pharma (1.03%), Tata Steel (0.93%), Maruti (0.81%) and Coal India (0.73%).

Among BSE sectoral and industry indices, capital goods rose by 1.60% followed by industrials 0.87%, FMCG 0.83%, auto 0.57%, power 0.61%, finance 0.51% and metal 0.33%.

While, telecom fell 1.81%, consumer durables dropped 0.46% and oil&gas shed 0.16%. The market breadth remained negative as 1,322 shares ended lower, 1,229 closed higher, while 153 ruled steady. The total turnover dropped to Rs 2,336.37 crore from Rs 2,486.87 crore on Wednesday.