Sensex takes a breather after three-day rally

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,493.59 points, closed at 18,492.45 points, up 80.04 points or 0.43 percent from its previous close at 18,412.41 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange closed 0.34 percent higher at 5,545.3 points. Broader markets saw better gains with BSE midcap index closing 0.78 percent up and the BSE smallcap index up 0.6 percent.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,464 stocks advancing, 1,378 on the decline and 124 remaining unchanged. Consumer durables, healthcare and capital goods stocks were among the major gainers, while energy and realty scrips ended on the losing side.

Among gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: Hindalco, up 4.15 percent at Rs.180.85; Bajaj Auto, up 2.87 percent at Rs.1,420.75; HDFC, up 2.18 percent at Rs.688.90 and BHEL, up 1.82 percent at Rs.2,002.50. Prominent among the losers were DLF, down 2.21 percent at Rs.210.15; Jaiprakash Associates, down 1.56 percent at Rs.78.85; Jindal Steel, down 1.16 percent at Rs.630.05 and Wipro, down 0.76 percent at Rs.418.85.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors bought stocks worth $397.09 million Tuesday. Asian markets were mixed as traders were cautious ahead of a vote in the Greece parliament on austerity measures. The vote is crucial if the measures are to be adopted by the country in order to facilitate funds from other Euro zone economies and hold off immediate payment to several lenders.

The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 0.74 percent higher at 9,648.98 points, while the Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange closed 0.09 percent up at 22,061.78 points. The Chinese Shanghai composite index ended flat at 2,759.2 points.

European bourses were ruling subdued. Around midday, Britain's FTSE was up 0.47 percent at 5,749.43 points and the French CAC 40 was trading 0.54 percent higher at 3,816.89 points. The German DAX was ruling 0.16 percent down at 7,096.51 points.