Sensex rises marginally in Muhurat trading

MUMBAI: At any gathering of brokers, analysts and investors, a major part of the conversation currently revolves around the new government and its policies. Thursday evening's Muhurat trading session at P J Towers, the headquarters of BSE in south Mumbai, which saw the sensex closing 64 points higher at 26,851, was no different. Top brokers and independent money managers shared their views on almost every decision of the Narendra Modi government and its impact on the market, and there were enough number of willing listeners as the one-and-half-hour long special trading session continued at the exchange's Convention Hall.

During the session, which was to mark the start of Samvat Year 2071 — the New Year for the trading community on Dalal Street dominated by the Gujaratis — the sensex's gains were backed mainly by index heavyweights like Reliance Industries, TCS and ITC. Nifty closed 19 points higher at 8,015.

Usually, the indices close higher after the Muhurat session as traders do not sell shares during this session that is preceded by a puja of Goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

The day's session at BSE started with felicitation of some of the top brokers on the exchange during the past one year, and then the opening bell ringing ceremony. This year, Bollywood actor Kajal Aggarwal, of "Singham" fame, rang the opening bell. In Samvat 2070, the sensex had gained 26%.

There was a bullish undertone in what the brokers, money managers and analysts had to say as they have huge expectations from the Modi government. However, there were some notes of caution as well.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)

TATA Consultancy Services ( TCS )

ITC Limited