Mumbai: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday surrendered most of its early gains and closed a moderate 33 points higher on selling in interest-sensitive stocks of banking and realty stocks, after the RBI kept interest rates unchanged in its bi-monthly monetary policy.
In a highly volatile trade, the 30-share index opened higher and rose to the day's high of 26,851.33, a jump of 254.22 points from previous close, after announcement of the RBI policy.
However, selling in banking and realty sector stocks and other blue-chip stocks, gave up most of its gain to close the session 33.40 points, or 0.13 percent, higher at 26,630.51.
Sensex had lost 29.21 points yesterday after participants trimmed positions ahead of the RBI monetary policy review.
On similar lines, the NSE 50-share Nifty in two-way movements, finally settled 5.90 points, or 0.07 percent higher at 7,964.80 after touching the day's high of 8,030.90 and a low of 7,923.85.
Brokers said the RBI's decision to keep interest rate unchanged was largely in line with investor expectations and had little impact on buying by participants but profit- booking at improved levels, minimised the gains, spread over a broad front.
RBI, in its monetary policy, left the short-term lending rate or repo rate unchanged at 8 percent, and the cash reserve ratio static at 4 percent. The statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) has also been retained at 22 percent.
Global cues were not conducive as Asian bourses ended lower a Chinese manufacturing gauge missed estimates. European markets were also weak in early trades.
While 14 out of the 30 Sensex shares ended with gains led by Sun Pharma (up 2.77 percent), HDFC (2.17 percent) and Bajaj Auto (2 percent), BHEL, Axis Bank and Hindalco remained major losers.
Sectorwise, BSE Consumer Durabless index gained the most by rising 1.75 percent, followed by Healthcare 1.35 percent, Oil & Gas index 1.14 percent and FMCG index 0.66 percent but Banking index shed 0.47 percent, Realty index 2.66 percent and Auto index 0.06 percent.
