Sensex rises over 195 points, Nifty above 21,950

The domestic equity market indices ended on a positive note in a highly volatile session on Thursday, ahead of the domestic economic data,to be released later in the day.At close, the Sensex was up 195.42 points or 0.27 percent at 72,500.30, and the Nifty was up 31.65 points or 0.14 percent at 21,982.80. About 1650 shares advanced, 1649 shares declined, and 86 shares unchanged.
Adani Enterprises, Tata Consumer, M&M, IndusInd Bank and Britannia Industries were the top gainers on the Nifty, while losers included Apollo Hospitals, Bajaj Auto, LTIMindtree, Eicher Motors and UPL.
On the sectoral front, except healthcare, all other indices ended in the green with bank, capital goods, metal, power up 0.5-1 percent.BSE midcap index added 1 percent and smallcap index rose 0.5 percent.
Rupee Close:
On 29 Feb'24,the Indian rupee appreciated 2 paise to 82.89 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Thursday, tracking a weak American currency and a downward trend in the crude oil prices.
The domestic unit, however, weighed down by a volatile equity market and unabated outflow of foreign funds, forex traders said.Market participants were also awaiting the domestic GDP data to be released later in the day, they said.
Trading Guide:
Market experts have recommended eight stocks to buy for Thursday- Rainbow, HUL, Birlasoft, ICICI Bank, Dreamfolks Services, Max Financial Services, Havells India, and KEC International.

(Writer is a Finance Research Analyst, based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat)