BIG DAY SENSEX...CROSS 28K

The benchmark Sensex today conquered the 28,000 mark for the first time as markets hit new highs of the fourth day on expectations of more reforms by the Modi government and a rate cut by the RBI. The BSE barometer, however, settled a tad lower but still a new closing peak of 27,915.88, a gain of 55.50 points of 0.20 per cent. The 30-share index resumed higher at 27,907.19 and rose further to a high of 28,010.39 before ending at 27,915.88. Markets were enthused after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today promised reforms in labour, land acquisition and insurance laws and expressed readiness to look at privatisation of some loss-making public sector companies. The index surpassed its previous record high of 27,969.82 hit on November 3. Its previous closing peak was 27,865.83 (October 31). Similarly, the CNX 50-share Nifty firmed up by 14.15 points, or 0.17 per cent, to all-time closing high of 8,338.30. "Markets consolidated post the recent rally in the markets, which has come about on the back of renewed optimism on fiscal reforms, sharp correction in crude prices, improved growth in US, liquidity easing by Japan and diminished possibilities of an immediate increase in US interest rates," Dipen Shah, Head- Private Client Group Research, Kotak Securities. Strong foreign capital inflows coupled with strong European cues mainly boosted the domestic market sentiment, even as services sector activity in India stagnated during October amid weaker growth of new orders an per a HSBC survey. Leading global crude oil producer Saudi Arabia yesterday slashed its export prices for the US market. "The fall in crude oil prices will have a positive impact on, among other things, inflation....it will embolden the RBI to cut rates," said HDFC Securities in a note. The market sentiment got a fillip after data showed Foreign Portfolio Investors on Monday bought shares worth a net Rs 1,413.34 crore. Most Asian stocks ended mixed following weak economic data from China. Key benchmark indices in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea fell by 0.19 per cent to 0.63 per cent while indices in Singapore and Japan rose by 0.18 per cent to 0.44 per cent. Both exchanges, BSE and NSE will remain close tomorrow on account of Gurunanak Jayanti.