INVESTORS WEALTH ZOOMS OVER Rs.23 lakh CRORES

Stock market investors have become richer by over Rs 23.33 lakh crore so far this year, as 25.49 per cent rally in the benchmark Sensex has helped the total valuation of all the BSE listed firms reach close to Rs 94 lakh crore.
In contrast, investors' wealth had surged by over Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 70,44,431 crore in 2013.
At present, the total market capitalisation (m-cap) of BSE listed companies stands at Rs 93,77,672 crore, about Rs 6.22 lakh short of the Rs 100 lakh crore milestone.
The Sensex has gained 25.49 per cent from December 31 to October 1 and touched its life-time high of 27,319.85 on September 8.
Positive investor sentiment following the formation of new government at the Centre and strong foreign fund inflows have been driving the domestic equity markets, experts said.
"The undercurrent of the stock market is bullish although stocks are currently in the consolidation phase and buying may resume in the days to come," said an equities expert.
Marketmen have maintained that the surge in investor wealth is also due to continued rise in listed firms. The total number of listed companies stands at 5,485.
Sensex blue-chip companies whose market valuation is more than Rs 1 lakh crore include TCS, ONGC, RIL, ITC, Infosys, Coal India, HDFC Bank, SBI, Sun Pharma, ICICI Bank, HDFC, Bharti Airtel, HUL, Wipro, Tata Motors, L&T and NTPC.
Outsourcing giant TCS is the most valued Indian company with a market cap of Rs 5,43,684.13 crore.
Indian markets have seen smart gains this year helped by robust foreign fund inflows.
Since the beginning of this year, foreign investors have infused a net of Rs 83,438 crore (USD 14 billion) in the stock markets, while they have invested a net of Rs 1.18 lakh crore into the debt market (USD 19.6 billion).