Closing Bell: Markets extend gain for 3rd day in row; Sensex up over 400 points, Nifty above 15800 - IT and Metals gain most

The Indian markets continued to surge for the third straight day on Monday, led by IT and metal stocks. Sensex gained over 400 points, while Nifty50 settled above 15800 levels at the close. 

At the market close, the BSE Sensex was up over 456 points or 0.87 per cent to 53184 levels, and Nifty50 was up over 131 points or 0.84 per cent to 15831 levels. Broader markets outperformed the benchmarks, as both mid cap up around 1 per cent and small-cap up nearly 2 per cent at the close. 

As many as 38 stocks advanced and 11 declined, while one remained unchanged on Nifty50 at the close. Energy stocks such as ONGC and Coal India become top Nifty gainer as each gained over 3 per cent, followed by L&T, HCL Tech and UPL each surged between 2.5-3 per cent at the market close.

On the contrary, Eicher Motor cracked most by almost 1.5 per cent, followed by Apollo Hospital down over 1 per cent, while HDFC Life, Kotak Bank and Reliance each slumped marginally up to 0.5 per cent at the market close on Monday.

Bajaj Auto ends higher but off highs following ‘open market’ buyback and pharma firm Hikal rises up to 8% after HC sets aside Pollution Control Board order. Conversely, Aurobindo slips 3 per cent from highs after SEBI issues a warning letter and Zomato closes with a cut of 7% following Blinkit deal news.

All sectoral indices closed higher, Nifty IT and Metal were the top gainer indices up over 2 and 1.5 per cent respectively, while majority of sectors closed nearly 1 per cent higher at the market close.