MARKE ENDED 2009 DEC 31.

Indian stock markets ended calendar year 2009 in style and on a promising note after the benchmarks scaled 20-month peaks on a December F&O expiry day. It's been a liquidity driven rally for global markets on the back of economic recovery and decline in the US dollar. Back home, sentiments have been bullish on expectations of 6.7 per cent GDP growth and government's decision to continue with stimulus package.

Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex closed at 17464.81, up 120.99 points or 0.70 per cent from the previous day's close. The 30-share index touched 52-week high of 17530.94 and low of 17365.37. The 30-share index has bounced back 80 per cent in 2009.

National Stock Exchange's Nifty ended at 5201.05, up 31.60 points or 0.61 per cent from Thursday. The index touched 52-week high of 5221.85 and low of 5168.75 during the day's session. Today India is the preferred destination for equity investors across the world as is evidenced by the FII & FDI inflows into our markets which has crossed $35 billion in this financial year.

Going forward, the VIX having dropped from 80 a year ago to 20 now is indicative of growing confidence in the markets and thus strong flows would be expected to continue. Our own people, particularly retail investors could also recognize this and reap the long term benefits of investing in an economy which is expected to grow at the rate of at least 7.5-8% p.a. for the next many yearsThe BSE Midcap Index was up 0.31 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index gained0.60 per cent. Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Power Index was up 1.16 per cent, BSE Capital Goods Index moved 1.10 per cent higher and BSE Oil&gas Index moved up 1 per cent. BSE FMCG Index ended 0.19 per cent lower and BSE Healthcare Index slipped 0.14 per cent. Jaiprakash Associates (3.59%), Ambuja Cement (3.04%), BPCL (2.76%), SBI (2.06%) and M&M (1.94%) were amongst the top Nifty gainers. Idea (-1.61%), Reliance Communications (-1.03%), DLF (-1.01%), Jindal Steel (-0.86%) and PNB (-0.84%) were amongst the major losers. Market breadth was positive on the BSE with 1670 gainers and 1212 losers.

Note: Market will remain shut Friday on account of New Year holiday. From 4 January 2010, trade will start at new trading time i.e. 9:00 am IST and end at 3:30 IST.