After seeing some volatility in the morning session, the Indian benchmark indices ended the day up 0.7 per cent from their previous close on Friday. The BSE Sensex closed at 18,428 (up 139.26 points), while the NSE Nifty closed at 5,607 (up 43 points).

The day’s trading session was supported by stocks in the realty, consumer durables, oil & gas and power sectors.

“The gains in the index were supported by majors such as Reliance Industries, which was up 2.6 per cent. The news that imported power equipment for mega projects above 1,000 MW are likely to attract 19 per cent import duty did have a positive impact on BHEL, which was up 4.5 per cent,” said Mr Milan Bavishi, Head of Research, Inventure Growth and Securities.

Market analysts say that the sentiment in the market is improving owing to the better performance of the equity markets. “Sentiment is very positive in the market. We are seeing some amount of participation from the retail sector. Volumes are better this week as the F&O expiry is scheduled for this week. But even then volumes in the market have been comparatively better,” said Mr Abhinav Angirish, Managing Director, Abchlor Investment Advisors and InvestOnline.in.

The top performing stocks in the Sensex during the day were BHEL, ONGC, Hindalco, RIL, Tata Steel and Bharti Airtel; each up more than two per cent.

On the NSE, India Vix, the volatility index was up 8.5 per cent to 26.25.