The Stock Market settlled at 18439, up with 1.46%, the index touched a high and a low of 18,463.84 and 18,155.43, respectively. While S&P CNX Nifty shutup at 5531, up with 1.65%, the index touched high of 5,537.30 and a low of 5,434.25 respectively.

The 50-share S&P CNX Nifty finally settled at 5,531.50 after gaining 86.05 points or 1.58%. Nifty March 2011 futures closed at 5,555.70 at a premium of 24.20 over spot closing of 5,531.50, while Nifty April 2011 futures were at 5,580.00 at a premium of 48.50 points over spot closing. The near month March 2011 derivatives contract expire on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Nifty March futures saw an addition of 8.04% or 1.79 million (mn) units, taking the total outstanding open interest (OI) to 24.17 mn units.

For Nifty calls, 5500 strike price (SP) from the March series was the most active call with an addition of 0.53 mn or 8.60%. Among Nifty puts, 5400 SP from the March month expiry was the most active put with an addition of 1.68 mn or 17.67%. The maximum Call OI outstanding was at 5500 SP (6.79) and that for Puts at 5400 SP (11.24). The respective Support and Resistance levels are: Resistance 5,567.78 --Pivot Point 5501.01--Support 5,464.73. The Nifty Put Call Ratio (PCR) OI wise stood at 1.42 for March-month contracts.