Sensex Edges up; Investors Cautious Ahead of Yellen Speech

Mumbai: In yet another volatile session, the BSE Sensex on Wednesday settled nearly 70 points higher, breaching the 28,000-level on mild buying in pharma, IT and PSU counters, but broader market sentiment remained edgy awaiting cues on US interest rate hike in 2016.

However, covering-up of short positions ahead of Thursday's expiry of August series in the derivatives segment gave equities a slight push.

Globally, investors' focus is on US Federal Reserve Chair Janel Yellen's speech at the bankers' gathering in Jackson Hole later this week.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services Ltd, said, "The market was volatile within a narrow range and closed on a positive note ahead of the derivatives expiry tomorrow. Global markets were mixed due to uncertainty over the upcoming speech by the chair of the Fed, Janet Yellen, this Friday, which will provide signs of a possibility of a rate hike in the September FOMC meet."

During the day, after shuttling between 28,108.39 and 27,959.87, the BSE Sensex settled 69.73 points, or 0.25 per cent, higher at 28,059.94.

The gauge had edged up by 4.67 points in Tuesday's choppy session.

The NSE Nifty ended at 8,650.30, showing a gain of 17.70 points or 0.21 per cent, after hovering between 8,661.05 and 8,620.90.

Shares of drug firm Aurobindo Pharma jumped 6.96 per cent to Rs 787.55 after the company yesterday reported a 23.81 per cent rise in consolidated net profit for the first quarter ended June 30.

Maruti Suzuki emerged as the star performer among the 30-Sensex constituents by surging 2.40 per cent higher at Rs 4,949.10, followed by Cipla 1.97 per cent at Rs 565.90.

Other big gainers that supported the key indices were Infosys, NTPC, Sun Pharma, RIL, ONGC, Dr Reddy's, HDFC Bank, HDFC Ltd, Axis Bank, Power Grid and Wipro, rising by up to 1.97 per cent.

As many as 14 constituents in the 30-share Sensex gained. Sectorwise, oil and gas jumped the most by 1.49 per cent, followed by healthcare 1.30 per cent, PSU 0.71 per cent and power 0.69 per cent.