Nifty, Sensex at record high: Here are important metrics that capture market sentiment post exit polls

Market at Record High

The markets were on a record-breaking spree on Monday – the first trading session after the exit polls predicted a strong mandate for the ruling BJP. The benchmarks closed at new record highs, and investors became richer by Rs 14.18 lakh crore.

The 30-share Sensex touched an intra-day high of 76,738.89, before closing at a new all-time high of 76,468.78, up 2,507.47 points or 3.39 percent. The broader Nifty ended the day at 23,263.90, gaining 733.20 points or 3.25 percent.

Here are a few important metrics that captured the sentiment of the markets today, marked by hectic buying activity by investors just ahead of the election results scheduled to be announced Tuesday.

Strong Market Breadth

On Monday, nearly 2,400 stocks – 2,346 to be precise – gained ground as against 1,615 declines, clearly indicating significant buying in the side counters as well.

Stocks at 52-Week High

A total of 284 stocks on BSE touched their respective new 52-week highs. The list includes prominent names like Adani Power, Reliance Industries, State Bank of India, GAIL, NTPC, JSW Energy, L&T, Axis Bank, ABB, and Coal India, among others.

FPIs Press the Buy Button

Foreign investors have been net sellers at Rs 21,186 crore in the current calendar year, but Monday saw overseas investors end the day as net buyers at Rs 6,850.76 crore, the highest since March 7. Additionally, their domestic counterparts continued their buying activity and were net buyers at nearly Rs 1,914 crore.

Rise in Investor Wealth

The overall market capitalization of BSE touched $5.13 trillion or Rs 425.92 lakh crore on Monday. More importantly, the record rally on the bourses ensured that investors became richer by Rs 14.18 lakh crore.

Dip in Delivery Trades

There was hectic buying activity from all categories of investors, including institutional and retail, but the share of delivery trading was lower on both BSE and NSE compared to the previous trading session. On NSE, delivery-based trades accounted for 25.4 percent on Monday, lower than the previous session's 32.8 percent. Similarly, on BSE, delivery trades accounted for 53.81 percent, lower than Friday's 55.62 percent.

Meanwhile, in F&O, the top 10 stocks that saw a high share of delivery trades included HCL Technologies, Alkem Laboratories, Infosys, Syngene International, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, and Larsen & Toubro.

Mixed Trend in Turnover

The cash segment of NSE registered a dip in turnover on Monday at Rs 1.73 lakh crore, compared to Rs 2.29 lakh crore on Friday. The derivative turnover on Monday was, however, higher compared to the previous trading session.

BSE witnessed a rise in cash market turnover on Monday at Rs 13,624.84 crore, compared to Rs 9,727.33 crore on Friday last week. However, BSE registered a dip in the equity derivatives segment.

Long Build-up

The long build-up was seen in 92 stocks including Gujarat Gas, PI Industries, Hindustan Copper, MRF, and Persistent Systems.

Long Unwinding

Only one stock - Marico - saw a decline in open interest along with a fall in price, indicating long unwinding.

Short Build-up

Total 15 stocks saw a build-up of short positions including Infosys, Ipca Laboratories, HCL Technologies, Balkrishna Industries, and Dabur India,

Short-Covering

Total 78 stocks saw short-covering including Container Corporation of India, Power Grid Corporation, Adani Ports, Cummins India, and Larsen & Toubro.