News Tonight

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) remained passive about two hours after start of trade today as investors preferred to book profits.

The BSE Sensex, which belled the day at 18,741.1, was trading at 18,740.26 after gaining 46.4 points (0.25%) as against its last closure at 18,693.86.

It had surged to 18,823.06 points during morning trade.

The Sensex has rallied during the last five direct sessions till Wednesday.

The broad-based Nifty was ruling in the green zone at 5,611.5, up 0.2%.

Broader stock markets also dropped down from early highs with the BSE midcap index trading 0.11% up and the BSE smallcap index up 0.25%.

The overall breadth of the stock market remained positive, with 1,329 advancements as against 1,139 declinations.

The top gainers on the 30-share index comprised JP Associates, HUL, Hero Honda and M&M, whereas the losers' list comprised Bharti Airtel, Cipla, Tata Motors and ONGC.

Asian bourses were trading in the positive after Greek lawmakers passed a vote to bring in severe austerity measure comprising selling some public assets to get entitled for a loan from IMF.

The Nikkei was trading on a flat note at 9,811.64, whereas the Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange was ruling 1.59% up at 22,412.79.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index was trading 1.1% up at 2,758.47.