SENSEX crossed 18000 after 25 months, but faced profit booking, finally closed with marginal gains. SENSEX closed at 17970, up 28 points and Nifty at 5374, up 8 points from the previous close. CNX MIDCAP index was up 0.44% and BSE SMALLCAP index was up 0.70%. The market breadth was positive with advances at 725 against declines of 546 on the NSE. Top Nifty gainers included ACC, GRASIM, TATAMOTORS, RELINFRA, MARUTI, IDEA, POWER GRID and GAIL while losers were ICICIBANK, JAIPRA, HDFC, PNB, AXISBANK, JSPL, HUL and SUNPHARMA.

Next Day Trading Session:

Nifty is still trading above 5320, so traders may follow the strategy of buying at dips but selling pressure is also expected in NIFTY at higher levels around 5410. BANKING HEAVY WEIGHTS may face selling pressure while CEMENT SECTOR may attract buying in the next session.

Corporate Highlights

Natco Pharma has announced the commercial launch of its brand - BENDIT- Bendamustine, a novel agent in the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), mostly seen in the elderly people.

Electrotherm is exploring southern regions for sale of furnace and other products and eyeing Rs 80 crore revenues from these regions in two years.

Godrej Consumer Products acquired a $120-million Indonesian insecticides and personal care products firm PT Megasari Makmur Group and its distribution company.

Glenmark Generics (Europe) (GGEL), the European subsidiary of Glenmark Generics has received regulatory approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) for Ropinirole film-coated tablets.

The Blackstone Group has announced that it will be investing Rs 225 crore in Jagran Media Network, which will hold a majority share of Jagran Prakashan (JPL). Jagran Media Network will file for necessary approvals for the investment with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) today.

Punj Lloyd has secured EPC contract from Public Health Engineering Department of the Government of Bihar for turnkey implementation of 850 solar-powered water treatment plants for an aggregate value of Rs 232 crore.

The members of Ram Kaashyap Investment have approved the issue and allotment of GDRs / ADRs / FCCBs, for an aggregate sum up to US $25 million.

Electrical projects division of BGR Energy Systems has secured a turnkey contract from Power Grid Corporation of India, New Delhi for fiber optic cabling package in lieu of the existing ULDC microwave links in Northern region. The contract is valued at Rs. 99.41 crore and it will be completed over 22 months.

Ganesh Polytex has successfully commissioned on time the new production line of 18000 MTPA at its Rudrapur unit to produce recycled polyester staple fibre.

Pipavav Shipyard board approved raising up to Rs 178 crore by issuing convertible debentures on preferential basis.

Aegis Logistics acquired Shell Gas (LPG) India, pursuant to which the latter has become a subsidiary of the company.