BSE Stock Sectors:

BSE has specific sectoral indices to define the market specific to each sector or segment. The segmentation of the market ensures that similar industries are put together for comparison. BSE currently has 11 sector indices defined which cover 90% of the market capitalization and is based on the Free float methodology as well.

• Auto index (BSE Auto): Covers scrips like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hero Honda etc.
  
• Banking index (BSE BANKEX): Covers scrips like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bank of India etc.
  
• Capital Goods Index (BSE Capital Goods Index): Covers scrips like L&T, Siemens, SKF, BHEL etc.
  
• Consumer durables Index (BSE Consumer durables index): Covers scrips like Titan, Videocon, Blue Star etc.
  
• FMCG Fast Moving Consumer Goods (BSE FMCG Index): Covers scrips like Nestle, Dabur, Colgate etc.
  
• Healthcare Index (BSE Healthcare Index): Covers scrips like Cipla, Ranbaxy, Biocon, GSK etc.
  
• Information Technology Index (BSE IT Index): Covers scrips like Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Patni etc.
• Metal Index (BSE Metal Index): Covers scrips like Tata Steel, Jindal steel, Hindalco etc.
• Oil and Gas Index (BSE Oil and Gas Index): Covers scrips like Reliance, ONG, Indian Oil etc.
• Power Index (BSE Power index): Covers scrips like Tata Power, NTPC, Suzlon energy etc.
• Realty Index (BSE Realty Index): Covers scrips like DLF, Unitech, Housing Development Corp etc.

These sectors can be classified as "Defensive" and "Cyclical".  The defensive stocks include utilities and consumer staples since these companies are not affected as much by the market downturn. Defensive stocks are the safe choice since they provide a protection in a falling or bear market.

The cyclical stocks are volatile and are easily influenced by the market cycles. These are also inter-dependent for e.g if the realty market is high then the metal index may show a corresponding rise.

Thus having information about the sector index is also very vital in order to gain further information about the stock you want to buy or sell.

Priyanka S Vaidya