Sensex rebounds by 374 points; rate-sensitive stocks surge

Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex rebounded by 374 points on May 13 to reclaim the 27,000-mark on heavy buying in banks, consumer goods and auto stocks on rate cut hopes triggered by drop in inflation and IIP numbers. Short-coverings by participants at lower levels, recovery in rupee and firm global cues helped the Sensex bounce back after yesterday's 630-point plunge. The upside was also supported by gains related to inclusion of some stocks in MSCI India index.

MSCI Inc announced that eight companies including Bharti Infratel, Eicher Motors, Lupin and Bharat Forge will be added to the list. At present, companies such as Infosys, HDFC, TCS, RIL, Sun Pharma and ITC are part of MSCI India index. Retail inflation, which cooled to a four-month low in April and industrial output growth slipped to a five-month low in March, increased changes of an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank at its next meeting. "Latest CPI trajectory provides scope to cut rate by the next RBI meet in June 2.

This is likely to provide a support to the range-bound correction led by FIIs due to global factors," said Vinod Nair, Head of Fundamental Research at Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services. In volatile movements, the 30-share Sensex opened firm and regained the crucial 27,000-mark to touch the day's high of 27,299.80 led by gains in rate-sensitive stocks. On emergence of profit-booking it slipped into negative zone to touch day's low of 26,750.01.

Meanwhile, HSBC on May 13 changed its stance on the country to "underweight", saying corporate earnings may remain muted, monsoon could be weak and odds are against rate cuts. Discounting HSBC downgrade, Sensex staged a strong comeback towards the middle of session and settled the day 373.62 points or 1.39 per cent higher at 27,251.10. The 50-share NSE Nifty also ended above the 8,200-level by surging 108.50 points or 1.34 per cent to 8,235.45 after shuttling between 8,254.95 and 8,089.80 intra-day.

Meanwhile, market is now waiting for the data on inflation based on the wholesale price index (WPI) for April, which will be announced tomorrow. Besides banking and capital goods and auto indices, power, oil and Gas, FMCG and consumer durable notched gains, while realty fell on profit-booking.