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Sensex, Nifty end volatile session higher on new stimulus hopes

By Reuters

  • 21 Oct 2020
Sensex, Nifty end volatile session higher on new stimulus hopes
Credit: Reuters

Indian shares ended higher on Wednesday, as financial stocks recovered from profit-taking in late afternoon trade after the government said it was working on another stimulus package.

The Nifty closed up 0.34% at 11,937.65, while the Sensex ended 0.4% higher at 40,707.31.

The Nifty Volatility Index rose as much as 3.8% during the session to a near four-week high.

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The Nifty 50 retreated as much as 1.02% in afternoon trade after crossing the psychological 12,000-mark, hit by a sharp fall in bank stocks that regained ground later to help the Nifty Bank index close 1.33% higher.

India's government is working on the next stimulus package to support the economy amid positive signs of a fall in COVID-19 cases, a senior finance ministry official said on Wednesday.

Financials were the top boosts on the blue-chip index, with top lender HDFC Bank, HDFC Ltd and ICICI Bank Ltd adding between 1.4% and 1.9%.

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"Markets had strong resistance at 12,000 levels from where we are witnessing profit-booking," said Rahul Sharma, market strategist and head of research at Equity99 markets.

Reliance Industries Ltd was the top drag, ending the day 1.5% lower after having risen as much as 1.7% earlier in trade.

Tata Steel Ltd added 2.9%, among the top gainers on the Nifty 50. The Nifty Metals Index ended the day 2.23% higher.

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Meanwhile, global sentiment improved on signs of progress towards a new U.S. coronavirus relief package.

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