Mumbai: Stock market investors reaped the biggest monthly gain of more than 14 per cent in October so far this year, despite the benchmark index Sensex witnessing the highest single day fall during the month.

According to an analysis of monthly returns given by the 30-share index, October gave over 14 per cent gains to investors. October also went down in history as the only month so far, which has witnessed the bellwether index scaling three milestones ---18,000 to 20,000 in the period. The month had also witnessed the biggest fall of over 700 points in a single day.

The index soared from 17,300 to over 20,000 points in October even after witnessing a correction during the period after market regulator SEBI's move to curb unidentified flows into the country. The second highest monthly returns had been generated in September which also saw the Sensex scaling two milestones 16,000 and 17,000. In September, the 30-share index had gained over 12 per cent.

April had given the investors the third-highest monthly return of over 11 per cent, with the Sensex scaling the 13,000 peak in the month. On the other hand, in February and March the index fell into the red with the investors ending up with negative returns. Other months gave returns between one to six per cent to the investors.

Sensex heavyweight Reliance Industries scrip gained over 21 per cent during the October month with its price soaring from Rs 2,289 in the beginning of the month to Rs 2,770. Other heavyweights like ICICI Bank, LT gained over 17 per cent and 53 per cent respectively during the period.

Source : PTI