The markets today ended in the green, almost discounting the 75 bps CRR hike move of RBI while banks also ruled out the rate hike post the RBI move. The benchmark index at the Bombay Stock Exchange gained 51.09 points to close at 16,357.96. Ahead of the policy announcement, the markets today suffered sharp losses in early trade taking cues from weak Asian stock markets. In the afternoon session, the markets exhibited extreme weakness and slipped to a low of 15,982.08 as a knee jerk reaction to the rate hike, but soon erased most of its losses on renewed buying interest in banking and realty stocks. Banking and realty stocks led the recovery along with capital goods and select auto stocks post easing concerns of rising interest rates. However, consistent selling in technology, FMCG and pharma stocks limited the gains to some extent. ICICI, BHEL, SBI Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank, Hero Honda, DLF and Jaiprakash Associates were the top gainers today while HUL, Wipro, Tata Motors, ITC, Sterlite and Bharti Airtel were the top losers today. The National Stock Exchange too was able to recover much of its early losses. The Nifty today ended at 4882.05 with a gain of 14.80 points. The lowest that Nifty touched today was 4,766.00. The Midcap and Smallcap indices also ended in the green. The Midcap index closed at 6509.80 with a gain of 65.29 points. The Smallcap index closed at 8232.68 with a gain of 97.79 points.