The Sensex has surged 24.90% in calendar 2012 so far (till 17 December 2012). From a 52-week low of 15,135.86 on 20 December 2011, the Sensex has risen 27.61%. The S&P CNX Nifty has also gained around 29 percent in calendar 2012 so far. From a 52 week low of 4,531.15 the Nifty has risen 26.19 percent to 5,965.15. This winning situation in the market seems to be the outcome of blast of liquidity from western central banks, coupled with government`s renewed interest for reforms since September.As per experts, stock market sentiment turned bullish after the reforms were announced, which followed Europe unlimited bond-buying plan and launch of QE3 in the United States. Decisions to open up FDI in multi-brand retail and civil aviation, as also hike in fuel prices, were among the major policy initiatives that helped the markets. Besides, Union Cabinet also recommended a hike in FDI in insurance sector to 49 percent and proposed FDI in pension.

The undercurrent in the Indian market is expected to be upbeat next year as well, buoyed by improving economic fundamentals, possibility of further reforms and positive FII flows. Sensex: 52 week range: 15,135.86-19,612.18 Return: Year to date: 24.90% 1-year: 24.61% Nifty 52 week range: 4,531.15-5,965.15 Return: Year to date: 26.93% 1-year: 26.19% Bullion Gold prices this year set a fresh all-time high of Rs 32,950 per 10 grams in domestic market on persisting demand from stockists and jewellers amid continuing weakness in rupee. Gold that showed strong co-relation with international prices, continued its record setting feat and registered a huge rise of Rs 3,440 or 12.65 percent till December 22, 2012, driven by all-round buying support. In the year 2011, it had spurted by Rs 6,605 or 32.09 percent. The bullish sentiment was largely fanned by weaker dollar in global market and fears of inflation after Federal Reserve pledged to hold US interest rates near zero until the end of 2014. Although, gold in the international market could not surpass its all-time record registered in September last year, the yellow metal in domestic market logged its all-time peak in the current year. This was due to, among other things, fall in rupee value which was trading nearly 3.7 percent lower against the US dollar on December 21, 2012.