Despite Sensex not keeping its early lead due to profit booking towards the end, it could close marginally higher by 43.66 points at 26,392.76 on on Tuesday. ahead of RBI policy announcement on Wednesday amid positive Asian cues.
The 30-share Sensex opened on a positive note on across-the-board gains, but higher levels could not be sustained due to profit-booking towards the close, with the index closing marginally higher by 43.66 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 26,392.76.
The gauge gained 118 points in the previous volatile session yesterday in anticipation of a rate cut by RBI.
The broader NSE Nifty gained 14.40 points, or 0.18 per cent, to end at 8,143.15, after moving between 8,178.70 and 8,130.85.
Another record close on US stock exchanges and positive Asian indices provided much support as investors shrugged off Italian referendum outcome that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Back home, the rupee appreciated 31 paise against the dollar to 67.90, which had a positive bearing too.
“Key benchmark indices traded the day in a narrow, albeit positive range, to close the day near the flat line. Positive leads from Asian markets and an overnight rally on the Wall Street positively impacted sentiment in India,” said Karthikraj lakshmanan, Senior Fund Manager – Equities, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.
Emergence of profit-booking by speculators at improved levels in the last half an hour of trading dragged the key indices down from the day’s high by wiping out the session’s big gains.