Equity investors richer by Rs 5.5 lakh crore so far in 2015

NEW DELHI: Stock market investors became richer by Rs 5.5 lakh crore so far this year as the rally in equities boosted the valuation of all listed firms to Rs 103.88 lakh crore.

Last year, market investors added a whopping Rs 28 lakh crore to their kitty where the valuation of all listed firms stood at Rs 98.36 lakh crore at the end of 2014.

The total market valuation of all listed firms at the BSE had hit a record high of Rs 100 trillion in November last year.

After rallying 30 per cent last year, the BSE Sensex has already advanced nearly 6 per cent so far in 2015 and now it is trading well above the crucial psychological level of 29,000.

Experts said that anticipating a reform-driven budget, the Sensex has rallied more than 1,600 points.

The benchmark Sensex has gained 1,636.46 points, or 5.95 per cent, to 29,135.88 so far this year. The index scaled its all-time high of 29,844.16 on January 30.

The rise in investor wealth is also on account of the continued surge in the number of listed firms. At present, the total number of listed companies stands at 5,595.

In 2014, the benchmark Sensex had gained 6,328.74 points or 30 per cent. This was the highest annual gain since 2009 when it had rallied by 7,817 points.

Next major event for the stock market is the Union Budget for 2015-16 which will be presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on February 28.

"We can expect volatility ahead of Budget outcome," said Rakesh Goyal, Senior Vice President, Bonanza Portfolio.

Investors are keenly waiting for the new government's first full-year budget, looking at it as a gauge to measure the reform momentum, an expert noted.

Meanwhile, in the stock market, TCS continued to remain the most valued firm as its market valuation stands at Rs 5,06,380.15 crore. TCS is followed by ITC, RIL, ONGC and HDFC Bank in the top five companies list.

Overseas investors have infused more than Rs 43,000 crore (USD 7 billion) in Indian capital markets so far in 2015.