SENSEX GAINS 258 POINTS, NIFTY ENDS ABOVE 8200

The Sensex ended with a gain of 258 points at 26652. The benchmark indices opened at 26441, touched an intra-day high of 26680 and low of 26395.The  Nifty closed 82 points higher at 8,224. It opened at 8,172 points, hitting a high of 8,234 and low of 8,139.

Technically, While 8,280 region is where averages meet, and is expected to force a turn lower, retracement figures from September peak and November peak suggest that a turn lower could evolve earlier than that. Such a move should call for 8,070 initially and then 7,800. Alternatively, direct rise above 8,280 could open room for 8,380 or even 8,580 in an optimistic scenario. The Indian stock market rallied to a near 3-week high as a gauge of lenders snapped its two-day losing streak and automakers extended their rally. The key benchmark extended their gains in the late afternoon session and was hovering near the highest point of the day amid higher opening among European counterparts. Sentiments remained upbeat on expectations of positive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data to be released later in the day.

 TOP GAINERS:  ICICI Bank, Maruti Suzuki, Ambuja Cement, Yes Bank, Ultra Cement

TOP LOSERS:  Idea, Lupin, GAIL, Reliance, Zee Entertainment, Cipla, Tata Motors