BSE Sensex Closes 41 Points Higher, FMCG Stocks Rise

 BSE Sensex rose 0.1 per cent on Monday, enough to post a fifth consecutive winning session, as consumer goods makers such as ITC advanced on hopes slowing inflation and reforms in the upcoming Budget would boost spending.Earlier broader gains were, however, capped in part by companies posting disappointing earnings. Shares of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries fell 2.7 per cent after posting an unexpected fall in its October-December net profit.The 30-share Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange closed at 29,135.88 - up 40.95 points, or 0.14 per cent. The 50-share National Stock Exchange's Nifty gained 3.85 points, or 0.04 per cent, to end at 8,809.35.Domestic economy related stocks such as consumer durables gained on hopes of increased spending. ITC shares gained 3.1 per cent while Hindustan Unilever scrip added 1.6 per cent.Meanwhile, wholesale prices declined an annual 0.39 per cent in January, their second fall in three months while retail inflation accelerated in January after shifting to a new base year for calculating prices, but stayed well below the central bank's target.The stock market will be closed on Tuesday for a public holiday.(Reuters)