Sensex regains 26,000

MUMBAI: Solid gains in Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank and HDFC shares helped the benchmark sensex on Wednesday log its first rise in three sessions and end about 96 points higher to reclaim the 26,000 level despite sharp losses suffered by Larsen &Toubro.
The BSE barometer recovered from initial hesitancy on buying in banking and auto counters while short-covering activity ahead of expiry of July equity derivative contracts tomorrow also aided the sentiment at fag-end, brokers said.ITC, ONGC, Dr Reddy's Lab and Hindalco also notched good gains and supported the Sensex rise. The 30-share barometer resumed lower and dipped to a low of 25,850.04 -- its lowest since July 22 -- to trade over 140 points lower. Later, it bounced back and finished at 26,087.42, registering a net rise of 96.19 points or 0.37 per cent. The Sensex had plunged by over 280 points, or 1.07 per cent, in the previous two trading sessions.