MUMBAI: Extending gains for the second consecutive session, key Indian equity indices on Friday surged to close on a higher note as positive global cues and value buying in banking, consumer durables and auto stocks gave a boost to investors’ sentiments.

Top gainers on the BSE market breadth were ITC, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, Cipla and Hindustan Unilever.

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by 98.95 points or 0.97 per cent to closed at 10,265.65 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE reclaimed the psychologically important 33,000-mark and closed around 300 points higher.

The BSE Sensex, which opened at 33,034.20 points, closed at 33,250.30 points - up 301.09 points or 0.91 per cent - from its previous close.

The Sensex touched a high of 33,285.68 points and a low of 33,034.20 during the intra-day trade. The BSE market breadth was bullish - 1,582 advances and 1,110 declines.

On Thursday, bargain hunting by investors and robust buying in auto, consumer durables and capital goods stocks lifted the benchmark indices. The NSE Nifty50 edged higher by 122.60 points or 1.22 per cent to close at 10,166.70 points, while the BSE Sensex closed at 32,949.21 points - up 352.03 points or 1.08 per cent.

“Sensex opened positive and regained the milestone 33,OOO mark once again following cues from Asian Indices. All sectoral indices are in the green, led by consumer durables, bank, metal and auto,” Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, said.



Indo-Asian News Service